Observations on the value of vaginal cytology in the assessment of ovarian function in Nigerians.

One hundred and twenty-two patients who attended the author's Gynaecological Clinic at The Logas University Teaching Hospital complaining of infertility, amenorrhoea or irregular menstruation were each studied during a minimum of three menstrual cycles. Cytological Curves based on weekly karyopyknotic indices of their vaginal epithelial cells were plotted throughout the duration of the study. Basal body temperatures and endometrial biopsies were also obtained from all of the patients. In the absence of vaginitis, cytological studies were found to be useful in determining the period of maximal fertility in infertile women and in detecting abnormal oestrogen excretion in women with functional menstrual abnormalities.