Eosinophils in human cervical ripening.
OBJECTIVE
Cervical ripening has many similarities to an inflammatory reaction. Eosinophil granulocytes are involved in several inflammatory responses. The objective was to investigate the presence of eosinophils in human cervix uteri during different conditions.


METHODS
Cervical biopsies were obtained from non-pregnant (n = 6), women in early pregnancy (n = 11) and from three groups of women at term: spontaneous vaginal deliveries (n = 5); vaginal deliveries after pretreatment with Prostaglandin E2 (n = 7); and from women who underwent planned Caesarean section (n = 7). Immunohistochemical staining for eosinophil granulocytes (ECP, EG2) were performed. The biopsies were analysed blinded.


RESULTS
Eosinophils showing degranulation in the tissue were found in all specimens from vaginal deliveries. No eosinophils, or very few were seen in the biopsies from non-pregnant, early pregnant women or planned caesarean section. Prostaglandin treatment had no effect on the results.


CONCLUSIONS
Eosinophils participate in cervical ripening at term in women, and seem to arise mainly after labour.
Knudsen
U B
UB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, Denmark.
Uldbjerg
N
N
Rechberger
T
T
Fredens
K
K
D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012260:Ribonucleases
D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D012260:Ribonucleases; D015232:Dinoprostone