Synthesis of a mucous glycoprotein in the human uterus

Abstract

Scrapings of endometrium and uterine contents of 10 women were analysed. In the uterine lumina of two women that used synthetic progestagens, a considerable amount of mucus was present. We fractionated the mucus by CsCl density equilibrium centrifugation into glycoprotein and protein fractions. With sugar and amino acid analysis the glycoprotein could be classified as a typical epithelial glycoprotein, resembling the cervical glycoprotein. It contains neuraminic acid (6.2%) and sulfate (8.4%). From the uteri of the other 8 women, who did not use hormones, a small amount of a similar glycoprotein could be isolated.