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Spermatozoa motility in human cervical mucus

Abstract

THE study of spermatozoa penetration and migration into the cervical mucus is of prime importance in the understanding of human reproductive physiology. Cervical mucus is a heterogeneous secretion, the most important constituent of which is a hydrogel made of glycoproteic mucoids1. Changes in the arrangement of these glycoproteins seem responsible for the variation in the ability of spermatozoa to penetrate throughout the oestrous cycle. At ovulation or under oestrogenic stimulation, the macromolecules are grouped into parallel micelles which surround spaces containing a fluid of low viscosity2. The penetration of spermatozoa into the mucus is entirely dependent on their own motility.

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DUBOIS, M., JOUANNET, P., BERGE, P. et al. Spermatozoa motility in human cervical mucus. Nature 252, 711–713 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252711a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/252711a0

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