EFFECT OF NORETHISTERONE ACETATE WITH OR WITHOUT ETHINYL OESTRADIOL ON THE SIALIC ACID CONCENTRATION AND SPERM RECEPTIVITY OF THE CERVICAL MUCUS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The sialic acid concentration in the cervical mucus was studied during 9 ovulatory cycles in 5 subjects and in 5 other subjects before, during and after treatment with norethisterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol in combination (Anovlar®) or norethisterone acetate alone. Sperm receptivity was also studied in the latter 5 subjects. In all cycles pregnanediol determinations and basal body temperature were used as an indication of ovulation. The following results were obtained: The concentration of sialic acid decreases during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle and increases during the secretory phase. In 19 of 25 cycles, cyclic changes in sialic acid concentration were found together with a positive sperm receptivity while in cycles with no change in sialic acid concentration no sperm receptivity was found. During combination therapy (Anovlar®) no cyclic changes in sialic acid concentration, and no sperm receptivity were found. During treatment with 1 mg of norethisterone acetate alone there was no sperm receptivity but in 2 of 5 subjects cyclic changes in sialic acid concentration were found.