This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by SINGER, A. Articles by REID, B. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by SINGER, A. Articles by REID, B. L.

EFFECT OF THE ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVE STEROIDS ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF HUMAN CERVICAL MUCUS—A PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION

Summary.: The ultrastructure of human cervical mucus was studied by means of electron microscopy. Minimally distorted specimens collected under direct colposcopic vision and stained with 3% ammonium molybdate revealed repeatable ultrastructural patterns in two groups of women, one group of whom was consuming an oral contraceptive steroid.

The mid-cycle pattern of cervical mucus obtained from women not taking the oral steroids showed a parallel arrangement of positively stained material separated by clear spaces, the basic structure of this material (termed fibres) being comprised of a fine network of small microfibres. The pattern in luteal phase mucus consisted of a branching network of fibres with inter-fibre connections through the smaller microfibres.

Cervical mucus obtained from women consuming the oral contraceptive steroids revealed a mid-cycle pattern of longitudinally orientated fibres, more closely arranged than in the non-steroid group. The inter-fibre space was obstructed by projections of microfibres from the main fibre core and by deposition of an amorphous substance. Minor pattern variations existed in this group dependent on the type of oral steroid taken.

The dimensions of the fibres and the inter-fibre spaces correspond with similar proposed measurements obtained by the study of the physical, chemical and rheological characteristics of cervical mucus.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Ceric, D. Silva, and P. Vigil Ultrastructure of the human periovulatory cervical mucus J. Electron Microsc. (Tokyo), October 1, 2005; 54(5): 479 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]