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Histochemical Alterations in the Uterine Endocervical Mucosa in Different Phases of the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in the Altered Cycle

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Mucus in Health and Disease—II

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 144))

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Abstract

Cervical mucus contributes towards the hostile vaginal environment and interferes with the entry of the spermatozoa into the uterus at all times except during the periovulatory period of the normal menstrual cycle. During this period the normally acidic, thick, viscid cervical mucus becomes less acid, thin and watery. The resultant changes in pH and consistency is believed to protect the spermatozoa from the hostile vaginal environment and also help in sperm transport. (Elstein, 1978; Kroeks, Kremer, 1977; Moghissi, 1973).

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References

  • Elstein, M., 1978. Functions and physical properties of mucus in the female genital tract. Br. Med. Bull. 34, 83–88.

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  • Kroeks, M.V.A.M. and Kremer, J., 1977. The pH in the lower third of the genital tract. IN: The Uterine cervix in Reproduction. Ed. V. Insler and G. Buttendorf Georg Thieme Publishers, Stuttgart.

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  • Moghissi, K.S., 1973. IN: Cervical mucus in human reproduction. M. Elstein; K.S. Moghissi, R. Borth., Scriptor., Copenhagen.

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© 1982 Plenum Press, New York

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Nirmala, V., Thomas, J.A. (1982). Histochemical Alterations in the Uterine Endocervical Mucosa in Different Phases of the Normal Menstrual Cycle and in the Altered Cycle. In: Chantler, E.N., Elder, J.B., Elstein, M. (eds) Mucus in Health and Disease—II. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 144. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9254-9_46

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9254-9_46

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9256-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9254-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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