CHANGES IN VAGINAL EPITHELIUM DURING PREGNANCY IN RELATION TO THE VAGINAL CYCLE

Since the investigations of Hitschmann and Adler¹ on the cyclic changes in the uterine mucosa, other portions of the mullerian tract have been studied in an attempt to show similar physiologic activity. Novak and Everett have demonstrated in the human female that there are secretory cells in the epithelium of the fallopian tubes which undergo cyclic secretory changes. Seckinger and Snyder² noted that the spontaneous contractions of the fallopian tube became more marked and rapid in the mid and late intervals following ovulation. This activity was greatly diminished during pregnancy.

Dierks³ in 1927 published the results of his study of the human vaginal cycle. He obtained pieces of vaginal mucosa from about thirty women from whom he was able to obtain accurate menstrual histories. In his description of the vaginal epithelium he states that it is composed of three layers—a basal layer, a functional layer and a