title: Changes in the weight, collagen concentration and content of the uterus and cervix of the ewe during pregnancy.
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.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Reproduction Unit, Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mimms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Regassa
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Noakes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying / Q000662:veterinary; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000032:analysis; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D006909:Hydroxyproline