Serial sections revealed that the sensory corpuscles were rounded or oval structures with a diameter of 25C75 m, often located in the vicinity of blood vessels (Fig ?(Fig2,2, ?,33)

Serial sections revealed that the sensory corpuscles were rounded or oval structures with a diameter of 25C75 m, often located in the vicinity of blood vessels (Fig ?(Fig2,2, ?,33). Open in a separate window Figure 1 Two sections in the series of sections of a corpuscle and adjacent tissue from a non-pregnant cervix stained for p75 (a) and PGP 9.5 (PAP-staining) (b). cervix before onset of labor. However, they were absent in all specimens during labor. Conclusion Sensory corpuscles have here for the first time been detected in the human corpus and cervix uteri. Studies on the importance of the corpuscles in relation to the protective reflex actions that occur in the uterus during pregnancy should be performed in the future. Introduction The innervation of the corpus and the cervix uteri has been described in several studies focusing on different aspects. Nerve fibers containing sensory neuropeptides such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) are present in the human cervix [1,2] as well as in the cervix of animals [3]. It is also known that marked nerve-related changes occur in the corpus during pregnancy. Studies in both humans [4-6] and animals [7] have shown the occurrence of an almost total denervation of the term pregnant and the laboring corpus. On the other hand, there is still a dense innervation in the cervix throughout pregnancy and labor [3,4,6,8], including sensory innervation [2]. It is likely that nerve-mediated effects play important roles in the processes that occur during labor and cervical ripening, particularly effects involving nerves that transmit afferent proprioceptive information. However, it is not known whether the corpus and cervix uteri are equipped with sensory corpuscles, i.e. structures that might have importance for proprioceptive information. Sensory corpuscules are known to exist in ligaments [9-11], joint capsules [12], skin [13-15] and periodontium [16,17] of various species. Corpuscle-like bodies have also occasionally been observed in the human colon [18]. The corpuscles are known to react on distension and pressure and to play a role as starting points of sensory pathways. It would be of interest to know whether sensory corpuscles also exist in the uterus and convey proprioceptive information during pregnancy and parturition. The aim of the present study was to explore the possible existence of Fendiline hydrochloride sensory corpuscles in the uterus. In addition, we wanted to explore possible differences in the pattern of occurrence of corpuscles in the corpus and the cervix, as they have different functions during pregnancy and labor. Biopsies from the corpus and the cervix of non-pregnant and term pregnant women as well as women in labor, were examined by using immunohistochemical procedures. Materials and methods Patients Three different groups of patients were studied. One group consisted of seven women who underwent a hysterectomy Fendiline hydrochloride with a benign diagnosis: six for menorraghia due to fibroids and one for an ovarian cyst. They were all menstruating regularly and none received any hormonal therapy. Another group was comprised of eight term-pregnant women with a normal pregnancy. They had an elective caesarean section performed prior to onset of labor because of fetal breech position, previous complicated vaginal delivery or for psychological reasons. The third group consisted of five term pregnant women in established labor. They had an emergency caesarean section performed due to prolonged labor and/or fetal disproportion. Clinical characteristics of non-pregnant, term-pregnant, and women in labor are given in Table ?Table11. Table 1 Clinical characteristics of non-pregnant, term-pregnant, and women in labor thead Non-pregnant n = 7Term-pregnant Rabbit Polyclonal to NPY2R n = 8In labor n = 5 /thead Mean age (years)453327Range39C5028C3821C35Mean gestational age (completed weeks)3840Range37C3937C41Mean parity311Range0C40C20C3Cervical dilatation (cm)5Range3C10Mean birth weight (g)34073713Range2935C40803430C4145 Open in a separate window All patients gave their informed consent. The Local Ethics Committee of the Karolinska University Hospital approved the study, which was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Sampling procedure Biopsies (400C500 mg) were taken from the isthmic part of the corpus uteri. Thus, they were excised from Fendiline hydrochloride the upper edge of the lower uterine segment, where the incision was made during caesarean section. The abdominal serosa and decidua had been removed. Biopsies from the corresponding area in the non-pregnant uterus were obtained after hysterectomy. The abdominal serosa had been removed but not the endometrium. Cervical biopsies (150C300 mg) were taken transvaginally from the anterior cervical lip, including all layers, at the 12 o’clock position, after caesarean section or hysterectomy. Tissue preparation Tissue specimens were immersed for 20 to 24 h at 4C in 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). They were thereafter rinsed for 24 h in Tyrode’s solution (pH 7.2), containing 10% (w/v) sucrose. The specimens were then mounted on thin cardboard with OCT embedding.