Document Detail


Changes in the biochemical constituents and morphologic appearance of the human cervical stroma during pregnancy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19303693     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus. It is composed of fibrous tissue and its mechanical integrity is crucial for maintaining a healthy gestation. During normal pregnancy, the cervical extracellular matrix (ECM) remodels in preparation for labor. The objective of this study was to investigate the biochemical and morphological changes in cervical stroma associated with physiological remodeling during normal pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Using human cervical tissue obtained from pregnant and non-pregnant patients, the ECM was analyzed for its biochemical constituents and histologic morphology. The ECM was assayed for hydration, collagen concentration, collagen solubility, total sulfated glycosaminoglycan concentration, and individual disaccharide concentration. The ECM morphology was visualized using conventional histological techniques (Masson's trichrome stain, polarized light microscopy) as well as second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. RESULTS: When comparing pregnant to non-pregnant tissue, significant increases were measured for total sulfated glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and collagen solubility. The microscopy studies confirmed that the collagenous network of the cervical stroma was anisotropic and pregnancy was associated with a discernable decrease in collagen organization. CONCLUSION: Significant changes were seen in the concentration and organization of cervical ECM constituents during normal pregnancy.
Authors:
Kristin Myers; Simona Socrate; Dimitrios Tzeranis; Michael House
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2009-03-20
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology     Volume:  144 Suppl 1     ISSN:  1872-7654     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol.     Publication Date:  2009 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-04-10     Completed Date:  2009-07-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375672     Medline TA:  Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol     Country:  Ireland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  S82-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Cervix Uteri / anatomy & histology*,  chemistry*
Collagen / chemistry
Extracellular Matrix / chemistry*,  ultrastructure
Female
Glycosaminoglycans / chemistry
Humans
Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
Microscopy
Pregnancy / physiology*
Solubility
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Glycosaminoglycans; 64082-61-7/A73025; 9004-61-9/Hyaluronic Acid; 9007-34-5/Collagen

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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