Detection and prediction of the time of ovulation
Moghissi, K.S.
Contraception Fertilite Sexualite 4(6): 443-452
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-861X PMID: 12334586 Document Number: 109065
The current experimental, clinical, and self-administered tests for the date of ovulation, both systemic tests and those involving cervical mucus, are explained and reviewed. First, the steroid and gonadotropin interrelationships throughout the cycle are described, with graphs illustrating how these and the other parameters discussed below vary throughout the cycle. The most popular test is basal body temperaure, yet a monophasic curve is recorded in 12-20% of ovulatory cycles. Cervical mucus becomes thin, fluid, alkaline, acellular, receptive to sperm, and exhibits special crystallizing and threading qualitites at ovulation. Physical properties of mucus and the softening of the cervix have been taught to women so they can identify their own ovulation dates. Chemical modifications of cervical mucus at ovulation include decline in certain soluble proteins and the appearance of others, a decrease in lysozyme and increases in alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidase and esterase, a diminution of sialic acid and possibly the release of glucoasamine. The only hopeful practical test is an indicator-paper test for alkaline phosphatase in saliva or cervical mucus.