Biophysical studies of human cervical mucus.

A study of normal midcycle human cervical mucus in order to investigate the physical properties of PAS-positive fern test materials is presented. The technique for preparing and purifying cervical mucus is described. The resultant concentrate was analyzed using histochemical stains for mucopolysaccharides PAS and Alcian blue; and positive results were obtained. UV spectrum analysis showed a strong absorption peak around 213 nm. The sedimentation coefficient of the macromolecule was 4.6 which compares to 20 for bovine estrus mucus and 25 for pregnancy mucus. The macromolecule studied from midcyle human cervical mucus appears to be a mucopolysaccharide or a proteoglycan. Redissolving the macromolecule in calcium chloride resulted in a classical spinnbarkeit. The addition of normal saline resulted in a classical fern pattern. It is concluded that midcycle human cervical mucus is probably a polymer composed of many units of the 100000 mol. wt. monomer which in turn forms the micelles that constitute the channels for sperm to transverse.