ARBORIZATION OF CERVICAL MUCUS IN THE EWE

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The phenomenon of crystallization (arborization) of cervical mucus was studied in the ewe. Some arborization was detected at irregular intervals in a few anoestrous and pregnant ewes, but it did not appear to be related to cyclic ovarian activity. Mucus collected during the normal oestrous cycle showed crystallization patterns from approx. 3 days before oestrus until 2 days after oestrus. Nearly all animals showed the phenomenon on the day before and on the day of oestrus. The prediction of onset of oestrus relative to the first occurrence of arborization was not accurate owing to variability in both the onset and appearance of crystallization patterns. In four cycles ovulation without heat was probably detected by the appearance of arborization in the cervical mucus. Single injections of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) were given during 115 oestrous cycles on the 3–4, 6–7 or 10–12 days after the onset of oestrus in an attempt to determine the quantities of injected oestrogen needed for arborization during the luteal phase. At these periods all, or nearly all, ewes showed arborization when injected with 100, 150 and 100 μg ODB respectively. Further differences between stages of the luteal phase were noted at the lower levels of oestrogen administration. The inhibition of crystallization patterns was noted when blood, seminal plasma and cellular debris were contaminants in cervical mucus. In view of these findings the importance of collecting uncontaminated cervical mucus is stressed. Arborization of cervical mucus appeared to be a better indicator of ovarian activity in the ewe than did arborization in mucus collected from the vagina.
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