Document Detail


Dynamics of cervical remodeling during pregnancy and parturition: mechanisms and current concepts.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17205425     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The cervix serves as a protective barrier from invading microorganisms and as a structural barrier to delivery of the fetus. Among all biological processes, the phenomenal connective tissue remodeling that occurs in the cervix during and after parturition is unparalleled in scope and magnitude. The process of connective tissue remodeling in the cervix during pregnancy occurs in four stages: softening, ripening, dilation, and repair. Although overlapping in time, each stage is uniquely regulated. Results from studies using serial measurements of cervical length indicate that cervical ripening precedes myometrial contractions of labor by several weeks, suggesting that parturition in women is a process of long duration and that uterine contractions of labor are late events in the parturition process. A clear understanding of the biologic mechanisms that regulate cervical remodeling during pregnancy is needed to influence the preterm birth rate and to develop strategies to prevent preterm dilation of the cervix.
Authors:
R Ann Word; Xiang-Hong Li; Michael Hnat; Kelley Carrick
Related Documents :
15018445 - Fine needle aspiration of the gestational sac for termination of early pregnancy in cer...
17845205 - Uterine cervical inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and -8, as predictors of miscarr...
11102595 - Hypersensitivity reactions following laminaria placement.
20561615 - A very rare case of an ectopic cervical intramural pregnancy.
565895 - Lateral cervical puncture: an alternative to lumbar puncture.
34235 - Fetal heart rate in the second stage of labour and fetal outcome.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Seminars in reproductive medicine     Volume:  25     ISSN:  1526-8004     ISO Abbreviation:  Semin. Reprod. Med.     Publication Date:  2007 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-01-05     Completed Date:  2007-04-05     Revised Date:  2007-12-03    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100909394     Medline TA:  Semin Reprod Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  69-79     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9032, USA. Ruth.Word@UTSouthwestern.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Cervical Ripening / physiology
Cervix Uteri / anatomy & histology,  physiology*
Collagen / metabolism
Connective Tissue / physiology
Estrogens / physiology
Female
Humans
Labor Stage, First / physiology
Parturition / physiology*
Pregnancy
Progesterone / physiology
Prostaglandins / physiology
Receptors, Progesterone / physiology
Relaxin / physiology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
HD11149/HD/NICHD NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Estrogens; 0/Prostaglandins; 0/Receptors, Progesterone; 57-83-0/Progesterone; 9002-69-1/Relaxin; 9007-34-5/Collagen

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


Previous Document:  Prostaglandin F2alpha and its receptor as activators of human decidua.
Next Document:  Methylphenidate double-blind trial: indication and performing