Question

Cervical mucus of cows shows fern pattern of crystallization during
A. Metestrus
B. Diestrus
C. Estrus
D. Pre estrus
Choose the correct answer from the options given below

• A. A only
• B. A and B only
• C. C only
• D. All A, B, C and D

Hint:

Cervical Mucus Ferning: Visible ONLY during ESTRUS (Heat) due to high Estrogen and NaCl crystallization. Absent in Diestrus/Pregnancy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cervical mucus arborization (ferning): high circulating estrogen at estrus increases sodium chloride and mucin electrolyte concentrations, forming diagnostic palm-leaf crystalline fern patterns.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Mechanism of Cervical Mucus Ferning (Arborization Pattern):
- During Estrus (Heat) (C only), peak preovulatory Estrogen levels stimulate the cervical and vaginal goblet cells to secrete copious, thin, watery, elastic mucus with high concentrations of sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$) and mucin.
- When a thin smear of estrous mucus is air-dried on a glass slide, the electrolytes crystallize in a pathognomonic palm-leaf fern-leaf arborization pattern visible under low-power microscopy.
- Under progesterone dominance (metestrus/diestrus), ferning is completely abolished (cellular amorphous smear).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, fern pattern crystallization occurs during C only (Estrus), matching option (C).