<prompt> A sample of cervical mucus is taken on Day 12 of the menstrual cycle: The mucus is thin, clear, elastic. It is placed on a slide and allowed to air dry. When placed under microscope, what would you expect:Clear field devoid of bacteriaThick mucus with back ground bacteriaA fern pattern characteristic of estrogenClearly defined, parabasal cells  <response>: Ans. is c, i.e. A fern pattern characteristic of estrogen.On day 12, when cervical mucus is viewed under microscope, it shows a fern like pattern under the effect of estrogen. 