Transcervical artificial insemination in sheep is limited by the inability to completely penetrate the cervix with an inseminating pipette. Penetration is partially enhanced at estrus due to a degree of cervical relaxation, which is probably regulated by cervical prostaglandin synthesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Prostaglandin E(2) acts via prostaglandin E receptors EP(1) to EP(4), and EP(2) and EP(4) stimulate smooth muscle relaxation and glycosaminoglycan synthesis. This study investigated the expression of EP(2) and EP(4) mRNA and glycosaminoglycans in the sheep cervix during the estrous cycle. Sheep cervices were collected prior to, during, and after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and during the luteal phase. The mRNA expression of EP(2) and EP(4) was determined by in situ hybridization, glycosaminoglycan composition was assessed by Alcian blue staining, and hyaluronan concentration was investigated by ELISA. The expression of EP(2) mRNA was greatest prior to the LH surge (P=0.02), although EP(2) and EP(4) were expressed throughout the estrous cycle. Hyaluronan was the predominant glycosaminoglycan, and hyaluronan content increased prior to the LH surge (P<0.05). Cervical EP(2) mRNA expression changed throughout the estrous cycle and was greatest prior to the LH surge. We propose that prostaglandin E(2) binds to EP(2) and EP(4) stimulating hyaluronan synthesis, which may cause remodeling of the cervical extracellular matrix, culminating in cervical relaxation.