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It has been suggested that the uterine cervix shows cyclic changes according to menstrual cycle. Since the uterus as well as fallopian tubes are originated from Mullerian duct, they show cyclic changes during menstruation. On histological viewpoint, Sjoval insisted that the length of the endocervical epithelium is grown up under the influence of estrogen during endometrial proliferative phase and reached the peak at the time of ovulation and thereafter regressed. Wollener observed that the maturity of the endocervical gland reached at the peak prior to menstruation then sloughed during menstruation. However, such hypotheses are controversial by various authors at present. Production of cervical mucus is increased at the time of ovulation, while viscosity of cervical mucus is decreased before ovulation and basal temperature is raised at the time of ovulation. Also arborization is noted at this time. Although the quantitative studies showed cyclic change of the cervical mucusa, histoc hemical studies are not yet been clarified Smith and Smith reported cyclic changes of pe riodic-acid-Schiff s positive materials in the cervical stromal tissue. Nogales and Botella observed decreased amounts of methylene blue, neutral mucin and glycophosphatase activity. To observe the nature and cyclic changes of the cervical mucus, cases of 200 totally hysterectomized uterus were examined and histochemical studies were carried out to the cervical tissue. Results are as follows; 1. No cyclic changes were observed on endocervical glands and epithelium by routine histologic studies. 2. Neutral, weakly acidic and sulfated mucus are seen in the cervical glandular lumen and epithelium in various states. 3. There was suspicious cyclic changes in amounts of endocervical mucus showed tendency of quantitative changes during menstruation. 4. The endocervical squamous epithelium contains only neutral mucin. It seems to be closely related with differentiation of the epithelium. No influence is seen with menstrual cycle.
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