Variations in the distribution of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine cervix of the pregnant woman.
A study was made of the modifications of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine cervix and the relationship to gestation. These substances are essential constituents of connective tissue, and a modification of their concentration could affect the physical and chemical characteristics of the cervix. Glycosaminoglycans were extracted from cervical biopsies obtained from pregnant and non-pregnant women. This study showed dermatan sulfte to be quantitatively the most important glycosaminoglycan in the cervix of both the groups studied, and that a significant decrease in the concentration of both dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfates occurred in the biopsies obtained just after delivery. This was related to a decrease of collagen in the cervix at the end of gestation, as the proteoglycans containing dermatan sulfate are principally associated with collagen.
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000032:analysis*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D014574:Uronic Acids / Q000032:analysis
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D014574:Uronic Acids; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen