Uterine collagen during involution in cattle.
Post-partum involution of the bovine uterus was assessed by clinical examination and monitored biochemically by measuring the total urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and the collagen cross-link, pyridinoline. Uterine tissue contained 0.13 +/- 0.04 residues of pyridinoline per mole of collagen and negligible (less than 0.005 residues/mole) deoxypyridinoline. The pyridinoline/creatinine ratio was found to be a clearer and more reliable indicator of uterine resorption than the hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio. The amount of collagen cross-link excreted above baseline was equivalent to the amount of cross-link estimated to have been accumulated during pregnancy. Maximal excretion of pyridinoline occurred at day 6 and returned to baseline values in 2-3 weeks after parturition. An electron microscope study during the period of peak resorption revealed macrophage-like cells apparently engulfing or containing collagenous material, indicating phagocytic removal of the connective tissue.
Kaidi
R
R
Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol.
Brown
P J
PJ
David
J S
JS
Etherington
D J
DJ
Robins
S P
SP
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000596:Amino Acids; C015484:pyridinoline; C036020:deoxypyridinoline; D003094:Collagen; D006909:Hydroxyproline