Light-induced fluorescence of the human cervix decreases after prostaglandin application for induction of labor at term.
OBJECTIVE
To define the changes in cervical light-induced fluorescence (LIF), an index of cross-linked collagen, after the use of locally applied prostaglandin preparations for labor induction at term and the correlation between LIF and Bishop-Score.


METHODS
The characteristic LIF of cervical collagen was measured from the surface of the cervix using a specially designed instrument (collascope) in 41 gravidas undergoing labor induction at term by prostaglandins. LIF and Bishop-Score were obtained directly before and 4h after the administration of prostaglandin. Paired Student's t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Linear Regression, Spearman correlation and Fisher Exact test were used as appropriate.


RESULTS
Cervical LIF decreased significantly after prostaglandin application (0.982+/-0.04 [before] to 0.885+/-0.037 [after], p=0.025). The decrease in LIF correlated with the initial LIF before PG-application (r=0.61). The Bishop-Score increased in all 41 patients. No correlation was found between LIF versus Bishop-Score.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical application of prostaglandins decreases the amount of cross-linked collagen as measured by LIF. This effect was observed only in patients with a prior high cross-linked collagen.
Fittkow
Cordula T
CT
Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA.
Maul
Holger
H
Olson
Gayle
G
Martin
Elizabeth
E
MacKay
Lynette B
LB
Saade
George R
GR
Garfield
Robert E
RE
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000502:physiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003944:Diagnostic Techniques, Obstetrical and Gynecological; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011453:Prostaglandins; D016595:Misoprostol; D003094:Collagen; D015232:Dinoprostone