Is cervical dilatation during parturition at term associated with apoptosis?
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B. Kemp
, W. Rath , M. Winkler , T. Reineke , H.M. Beier und U. von Rango
Abstract
Aims: Cellular turnover may be involved in remodeling of the cervix during parturition. Therefore, the number and localization of apoptotic and proliferating cells during cervical dilatation at term were determined.
Methods: Biopsy specimens from the lower uterine segment of 36 women undergoing cesarean section with a cervical dilatation of <2 cm (n=10), 2–<4 cm (n=9), 4–6 cm (n=8), and >6 cm (n=9) were examined for nuclear fragmentation by the TUNEL assay, and for cell survival by the apoptosis-blocking bcl-2. Proliferation was marked by Ki-67, epithelial cells by cytokeratin and leukocytes by CD 45. For quantification of apoptotic and proliferating cells, eight random fields of each specimen stained for TUNEL or Ki-67 were blindly counted by two investigators. For statistical evaluation, 90% confidence intervals based on a Poisson distribution were used; groups with non-overlapping intervals were considered significantly different.
Results: Apoptotic cells were found exclusively within the stromal compartment, while bcl-2 was expressed in epithelial cells and leukocytes. Proliferating cells were of stromal and epithelial origin. The number of apoptotic as well as proliferating cells ranged from 0 to 2 cells per high-power field (median number 0) in all groups. The confidence intervals were overlapping for all groups, showing no statistical difference between them.
Conclusion: Apoptosis does not seem to play a decisive role in the process of cervical dilatation during parturition at term.
References
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©2005 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Declining fertility in the developed world and high maternal mortality in developing countries – how do we respond?
- Maternal obesity and complications during pregnancy
- Cesarean section upon request: is it appropriate for everybody?
- Reply to: Cesarean section upon request: is it appropriate for everybody?
- Characteristics of mothers who delivered the heaviest, average-weight, and lightest triplet sets
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- The comparison of amino-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels in preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy
- Optimal timing for postprandial glucose measurement in pregnant women with diabetes and a non-diabetic pregnant population evaluated by the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS®)
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- Is cervical dilatation during parturition at term associated with apoptosis?
- Increased soluble VCAM-1 serum levels in preeclampsia are not correlated to urinary excretion or circadian blood pressure rhythm
- The association of birthweight with maternal and cord serum and amniotic fluid growth hormone and insulin levels, and with neonatal and maternal factors in pregnant women who delivered at term
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