Changes in extracellular matrix in rat uterine wall during pregnancy

ABSTRACT

To find changes in collagen fibers in extracellular matrix of uterine wall during early and late pregnancy. Settings Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Design: Study of extracellular matrix in rat uterine wall. Subjects: Twenty four virgin mature albino rats. Average age 08 weeks. Average weight 155gms. Group A [non pregnant [06 animals. Group B [Pregnant] 18 animals, sacrificed after 1st, and 2nd and 3rd week of pregnancy. A significant rise in the uterine weight [without fetuses] during pregnancy was observed. During early pregnancy the collagen fibres were increased. Collagen degradation was noted during late pregnancy, which was correlated to increased amount of ground substance between the fibers. Thickness of uterine wall increased significant during early pregnancy but at full term it thinned out due to great stretching of the wall. During early pregnancy collagen fibres are increased in extracellular matrix of rat uterine wall, while, during late pregnancy they show degradation