Mucus rheology: Relation to structure and function1

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Abstract
To test the effect of temperature on cervical mucus rheological properties, a sample of fresh mucus [human] was tested at both 25 and 37.degree. C. The 37.degree. C data showed a significant reduction of the dynamic viscosity compared to 25.degree. C, although the logarithmic plot obscured the magnitude of the reduction. Disparsity between the observed and predicted results indicated the existence of significant polymer-solvent and perhaps polymer-polymer interactions which may be due to the temperature-dependent changes in intra or intermolecular bonding. The temperature dependency of viscoelastic properties could be used to investigate molecular conformation in mucus. Tracheal and cervical mucus, although fulfilling different physiological function, have similar rheological properties. The dynamic moduli for the cerval mucus appear to be several-fold greater than those for the respiratory mucus when compared at similar conditions.

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