Alterations in protein, sialic acid and some enzymes in cervical mucus of female rats during NET-EN treatment.

The effect of norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) on cervical mucus protein, sialic acid and some enzymes (e.g. peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and alpha-amylase) were studied in adult female rats. One mg NET-EN every 12 days was found to be an effective contraceptive dose of this drug in this species, acting primarily through the cervical mucus. NET-EN produced a highly significant increase in protein content and peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities. However, sialic acid content and amylase activity did not exhibit any definite pattern after NET-EN therapy. The increased protein content together with persistent elevated levels of peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase corroborates the hypothesis that NET-EN creates a progestogenic phase which prevents sperm penetration and thus conception.