title: Impact of birth in the presence and absence of simulated birth injury on vaginal glycosaminoglycan content.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the effects of simulated birth trauma and vaginal and Cesarean delivery on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the vagina of female rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ten rats were divided into six groups: A (control), B (vaginal trauma), C (Cesarean delivery), D (Cesarean delivery followed by vaginal trauma), E (vaginal delivery), and F (20th day of gestation). In each group, half of the animals were killed 4 days after the procedure (time 1) and 12 weeks later (time 2). GAGs were extracted, isolated, and identified by using agarose gel electrophoresis and quantified by densitometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a significant decrease in total GAGs and dermatan sulfate (DS) at time 1. Evaluation at time 2 showed a significant increase in total GAGs, DS, and heparan sulfate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levels of sulfated GAGs in the rat vagina are affected by delivery and simulated birth trauma.
authors.affiliation: Section of Urogynecology and Pelvic Surgery/Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.forename: Paulo Cezar
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Feldner
authors.forename: Claudia Cristina
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Rodrigo Aquino
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Helena Bonciani
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Marair Gracio Ferreira
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: Manoel João Batista Castello
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Girão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D036801:Parturition / Q000378:metabolism*; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate