Mucins in cervix uteri of the Indian goat, Capra hircus (Linn.)

Cervical epithelium of the goat, Capra hircus shows the presence of two types of cells-ciliated and non ciliated mucus secreting the latter cell type being more predominant. In the non-pregnant specimen, the columnar mucus secreting cells of the cervical epithelium and gland show stored mucin in the supranuclear cytoplasm. During early part of gestation some cells show mucin concentrated in the supranuclear cytoplasm while in others it is localized towards the luminal surface only. Scanty mucous secretion is observed in the lumen of cervix but more mucus is observed in the lumen of the glands. During mid-and late pregnancy most of the stored mucin of the mucous cells is released and appears as a copious secretion in the lumen, during lactation most of the mucous cells show no stored mucin and the lumen is devoid secretion. The mucins present in the cervical epithelium, lumina of the glands and cervix show the presence of neutral, sulfo- and sialomucins. The amount of mucus secreted is higher during pregnancy than during the non-pregnant stage.