Quantitative Determination of Sialic Acids in the Mouse Vagina

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Abstract
Sialic acids (neuraminic acids) constitute part of the mucoproteins present in the mouse vagina. Comparison between the concentration of sialic acids in mouse vaginal tissue and earlier reports on degree of mucification (hlstological examinations) reveal a close relationship. Therefore, this study used vaginal sialic acids as an indicator of mucin formation. The high level of vaginal sialic acids found during pregnancy could be due to the simultaneous action of progesterone and estrogen. Hormone substitution in castrates reveals a delicate dose relationship between these 2 principles and maximal formation of sialic acids occurs only at optimal dose combinations. More than 3 days of endocrine stimulation are necessary to initiate formation. Estradiol rapidly decreases the vaginal sialic acid concentration which is dose dependent only at the lower dose ranges as doses of estradiol exceeding a certain value caused no further regression. Progesterone alone did not affect vaginal sialic acids.