title: Dynamics of cervical remodeling during pregnancy and parturition: mechanisms and current concepts.
abstract: The cervix serves as a protective barrier from invading microorganisms and as a structural barrier to delivery of the fetus. Among all biological processes, the phenomenal connective tissue remodeling that occurs in the cervix during and after parturition is unparalleled in scope and magnitude. The process of connective tissue remodeling in the cervix during pregnancy occurs in four stages: softening, ripening, dilation, and repair. Although overlapping in time, each stage is uniquely regulated. Results from studies using serial measurements of cervical length indicate that cervical ripening precedes myometrial contractions of labor by several weeks, suggesting that parturition in women is a process of long duration and that uterine contractions of labor are late events in the parturition process. A clear understanding of the biologic mechanisms that regulate cervical remodeling during pregnancy is needed to influence the preterm birth rate and to develop strategies to prevent preterm dilation of the cervix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9032, USA. Ruth.Word@UTSouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: R Ann
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Word
authors.forename: Xiang-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hnat
authors.forename: Kelley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carrick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000502:physiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000502:physiology; D036801:Parturition / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D012065:Relaxin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D012065:Relaxin; D003094:Collagen