Collagenase activity in the cervix of non-pregnant and pregnant women.
Cervical biopsies were obtained from non pregnant patients and from pregnant at various stages of gestation and during labour. The tissues were extract with a Ca(++)-containing buffer, and collagenase activity was determined in these extracts using a solid phase assay in which triple helical 125I-labelled collagen was cleaved. Collagenase was detected in all samples but significantly elevated activity was only present in labour at 6-8 cm cervical dilatation. This provides direct evidence for the crucial role of specific collagen degradation during cervical ripening and dilatation.
Osmers
R
R
Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, FRG.
Rath
W
W
Adelmann-Grill
B C
BC
Fittkow
C
C
Severényi
M
M
Kuhn
W
W
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000201:enzymology*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000502:physiology; D007749:Labor Stage, Third / Q000502:physiology; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
D003012:Microbial Collagenase