The effect of estrogen and gestagen on the mucus production of human endocervical cells: a histochemical study.

The effect of hormonal stimulation on the intracellular mucus production of the endocervical cells was histochemically and morphometrically investigated. Twenty-seven cervixes from patients who had received estrogen or gestagen prior to hysterectomy were examined. "Upper" versus "lower" cervix and "small" versus "large" crypts were compared in both groups of patients. The histochemical analysis of mucins within the cells was based mainly on the combined alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff (AB/PAS) techniques at various pH levels. A semiquantitative estimation using cell counts and statistical evaluations was done for each staining method. The results indicate that sex hormones influence the chemical composition of endocervical mucus production. In addition, the nature of the intracellular mucus varies with the cryptal size and location within the cervical canal.