Changes in the tensile properties and fine structure of the rat cervix in late pregnancy and during parturition
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by Lisa M. Williams in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M. Hollingsworth in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by J. S. Dixon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Summary. The isolated cervix from non-pregnant, early Day 22 pregnant (late pregnant) and parturient rats was studied. Cyclic loading and unloading tensile tests showed that the creep properties of the cervix were greater in late pregnant than in non-pregnant rats. This change in tensile properties, or softening, was associated with a marked rise in % of water and a fall of collagen concentration (as % of wet but not dry weight). These findings, plus electron micrographs showing a marked increase in extracellular matrix, separation of bundles of collagen fibrils and active fibroblasts, suggest that softening is related to controlled tissue hydration. Cervices were also removed from 3 groups of rats killed at different times during the 3-h parturient period and creep rate measured by continuous loading. A nearly 3-fold increase in creep rate over this period indicates that there is a second stage of cervical softening in pregnancy which precedes dilatation at parturition.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 133 | 30 | 1 |
| PDF Downloads | 75 | 29 | 1 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519