title: Expression of collagen in ovular membranes of pregnant smokers and non-smokers: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our study compared the amount of total collagen and type I collagen in ovular membranes of pregnant smokers and non-smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 14 pregnant smokers at 24-36 weeks of gestation; 39 pregnant non-smokers between 24-36 weeks of gestation comprised the control group. The expressions of total collagen and type I collagen were analyzed using two histological sections of the fetal membranes. The assessment of total collagen was performed using the Picro-Cirius red stain, and type I collagen expression was determined by means of immunohistochemistry The Mann-Whitney test was applied to verify possible differences between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average area covered by total collagen was lower in smokers (20630.45 microm2) as compared to non-smokers (24058.61 microm2), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.454). Comparison involving collagen type I deemed similar results (20001.33 microm2 vs. 25328.29 microm2, p = 0.158).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amount of total collagen and type I collagen was lower in ovular membranes of pregnant smokers as compared to non-smokers, although the difference was not statistically significant.
authors.forename: Romulo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araujo Júnior
authors.forename: Sebastião
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piato
authors.forename: Milca Cezar
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chade
authors.forename: Adriana Ribeiro Santos
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.forename: Maria Antonieta Galvão
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: José Mendes
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aldrighi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen