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The uterine cervix of the mouse consists of dense connective tissue with smooth muscle and has a small and relatively inextensible lumen in the non-pregnant state (Leppi, 1964). However, the cyclic variation of ovarian hormones results in small changes in cervical dilatability (Crelin, 1958). The present study was undertaken as, unlike the rat, there is a lack of information on the actual collagen content of the mouse cervix throughout the oestrous cycle. It was also felt to be a useful basis for an investigation currently in progress into cervical collagen changes during pregnancy in this species.

Albino, virgin mice aged 3–6 months from a closed but not inbred colony were used. Animals with a regular cycle were selected after taking vaginal smears for at least two cycles. Allen's (1922) definitions were used to designate smears as prooestrus, oestrus, metoestrus and dioestrus. On the day of experiment smears were taken from