Changes in the weight, collagen concentration and content of the uterus and cervix of the ewe during pregnancy |
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| Authors: | Regassa F Noakes D E |
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| Institution: | Veterinary Reproduction Unit, Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mimms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK. |
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| Abstract: | The dry and wet weights of the uterus (caruncular and intercaruncular areas) and cervix were measured in non-pregnant (n = 5) and pregnant (n = 25) ewes post mortem; for the latter, five were obtained for each of the 5 months of gestation. The total collagen tissue content was measured in both areas of the uterus and cervix by hydroxyproline analysis and image analysis of Haematoxylin-Van Gieson stained tissue sections. Both wet and dry uterine weights increased significantly with gestational age (P < 0.001). The water content of uterine and cervical tissue remained constant, at between 83 per cent to 85 per cent and 76 per cent to 80 per cent, respectively. There was a close correlation between the two methods used to determine the collagen content (r = 0.96, P < 0.001), and between the increasing weight of the uterus during pregnancy and the total collagen content of tissues (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). At all stages, the total collagen content of the cervix mean (SEM) 96.2 (5.4) mg g(-1)] was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that of the caruncular mean mean (SEM) 24.3 (1.4) mg g(-1)], and the intercaruncular areas mean (SEM) 29.0 (1.0) mg g(-1)]. The changes in uterine and cervical weights and collagen content of the tissues were similar to those reported in other related species. |
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