Abstract
The spermatoreceptivity of the mucus of porcine cervix and vagina in sexual cycles has been investigated in the present study, along with observations on the mechanism of mucus secretion, variations in the secretion amounts and microfine structure of the mucus.
The mucus was found secreted in the cells of the superficial layer of the multi-layered squamous epithelium of the cervix and vagina.
The amount of the secretion was larger at the earlier stage of estrus and decreased in the latter half of the stage accepting boars.
The microfine structure of the mucus revealed irregular reticular structure composed of fine thread-like substances at the pro-estrus, while, at the stage of acceptance of boars, the structure was of a reticular form with regularity composed of clear thread-formed substance.
Intrusion of spermatozoa into the mucus was not observed throughout the sexual cycle in the in-vitro study.
