Reproduction: cervical mucus at ovulation: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Reproduction: cervical mucus at ovulation

Sample item

A woman notes clear, watery cervical mucus that stretches into a long thread (spinnbarkeit) and forms a fern pattern when dried on a slide. Which hormonal state does this indicate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. High oestrogen around ovulation

Oestrogen makes cervical mucus abundant, thin, alkaline and elastic, with a fern pattern, which favours sperm passage around ovulation. Progesterone makes the mucus thick, scanty and cellular and abolishes ferning, forming a barrier to sperm.

Option by option

  • A. High progesterone in the luteal phase

    Progesterone makes mucus thick and non-ferning.

  • B. High oestrogen around ovulation (correct)

    Correct. Oestrogen produces fern-forming, stretchy mucus.

  • C. High prolactin in lactation

    Prolactin has no direct role in the mucus pattern.

  • D. High hCG in early pregnancy

    hCG supports the corpus luteum but does not produce this mucus pattern.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is B, High oestrogen around ovulation. Oestrogen makes cervical mucus abundant, thin, alkaline and elastic, with a fern pattern, which favours sperm passage around ovulation.

Why is "High progesterone in the luteal phase" not the answer?

Progesterone makes mucus thick and non-ferning.

Why is "High prolactin in lactation" not the answer?

Prolactin has no direct role in the mucus pattern.

Why is "High hCG in early pregnancy" not the answer?

hCG supports the corpus luteum but does not produce this mucus pattern.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Reproduction: cervical mucus at ovulation in Physiology. Progesterone makes the mucus thick, scanty and cellular and abolishes ferning, forming a barrier to sperm.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Reproduction: cervical mucus at ovulation?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.