Morphological characterization of different human cervical mucus types using light and scanning electron microscopy

Menárguez M; Pastor LM; Odeblad E

doi:10.1093/humrep/deg382

Menstrual Cycle Cycle Biomarkers

Morphological characterization of different human cervical mucus types using light and scanning electron microscopy

Menárguez M, Pastor LM, Odeblad E

Published September 2003 Human reproduction (Oxford, England), 18(9), 1782-9

DOI 10.1093/humrep/deg382 PMID 12923128

RRM Academy Synopsis

Cervical mucus comes in four microscopic types, L, S, P and G

A 2003 laboratory study of samples from 195 women found four distinct cervical mucus types that appear to come from separate zones of the cervix. The authors report that the mix of types varies across the cycle. Researchers studied 230 samples under light and electron microscopes.

Study at a glance, laboratory study: Cervical mucus showed four microscopic types, L, S, P and G — Study at a glance, laboratory study of 230 samples from 195 women: Cervical mucus showed four microscopic types, L, S, P and G. Source: Menárguez M et al., 2003, PMID 12923128.

Key Findings

Researchers studied 230 samples from 195 women, mean age 30 years. Of these, 180 came from the cervical canal and 50 from crypt zones of five women.
Both dried and fixed samples showed the same four mucus types: L (loaf), S (string), P (peak) and G (gestagenic).
In the 50 crypt samples, each of the four crypt zones yielded its own mucus type.
Dried L mucus formed ferns with branches at a 90° angle. Several dried P mucus subtypes formed patterns with branches at a 60° angle.
In fixed canal samples, electron microscopy showed four network structures. The compact, small-pored Type I network was common in samples with 60–94% G mucus.

Interpretation

This laboratory study used light and electron microscopes to classify cervical mucus into four types and describe the network structures each forms. The authors call for more research to explain why the types differ.

RRM Context

Billings and other fertility awareness-based methods use cervical mucus to estimate ovulation timing, as the authors note. Their microscope findings show the mucus changing across the cycle. The authors suggest the ferning test could help clinicians and natural family planning users.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract

Background

This study was conducted on human cervical mucus using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The objective was the morphological characterization of the different mucus types, with samples taken from the lumen of the cervix and from the different secretory zones of the cervical mucosa.

Methods

A total of 230 samples from 195 women were spread out on slides and air dried. The phenomenon of 'ferning' was observed and assessed in these samples using both LM and SEM. Further samples from the lumen of the cervix and the different secretory crypts were spread out on cover slips and fixed with glutaraldehyde (2.5%) to be studied by SEM.

Results

The results show the presence of four different morphological mucus types, namely L, S, P and G, in both types of sample using dried and fixed techniques.

Conclusions

Mucus from the lumen of the cervix appears to be a morphologically heterogeneous entity. It contains different types of secretions, the proportions of which vary throughout the menstrual cycle. The different mucosal types show different types of crystallization, different patterns of ultrastructure (probably related to the arrangement of the glycoprotein network) and are produced in different secretory zones of the crypts in the cervix.

Topics

Menstrual Cycle

Cycle Biomarkers Cervical Mucus

Menstrual Cycle › Cycle Biomarkers › Cervical Mucus

Micaela Menárguez

M Menárguez

PMID 12923128 12923128 DOI 10.1093/humrep/deg382 10.1093/humrep/deg382 Menárguez et al. 2003, Menárguez 2003

Morphological characterization of different human cervical mucus types using light and scanning electron microscopy

Cervical mucus comes in four microscopic types, L, S, P and G

Key Findings

Interpretation

RRM Context

Abstract

Topics

By this author

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