Open AccessNeurochemical and cellular markers in human cervix of late pregnant, postpartal and non‐pregnant women
Author(s) -
STJERNHOLM YLVA,
SENNSTRÖM MARIA,
GRANSTRÖM LENA,
EKMAN GUNVOR,
LIANG YONG,
JOHANSSON OLLE
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2000.079007528.x
Subject(s) - neuropeptide y receptor , medicine , vasoactive intestinal peptide , calcitonin gene related peptide , neuropeptide , endocrinology , pregnancy , cervix , endometrium , leptin , immunohistochemistry , biology , receptor , cancer , genetics , obesity
Background. The aim was to evaluate the peptidergic innervation and the dendritic cell content in the cervix uteri. Methods. Cervical biopsies were obtained from late pregnant ( n =5), postpartal ( n =5) and non‐pregnant ( n =5) women. The samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry using antibodies to protein S‐100 (S‐100), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), human peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHM 27), neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), and human histocompatibility complex class II subregion DR (HLA‐DR). Results. Nerve fibers positive for protein S‐100, and dendritic cells positive for S‐100 and HLA‐DR were abundant in the cervix, especially at late pregnancy. CGRP, VIP, PHM‐27 and NPY positive nerve fibers were present in non‐pregnant, short nerve fibers and scattered immunoreactivity at term, and further scattered immunoreactivity after parturition. NPY positive nerve fibers were decreased at term, and after parturition a scattered immunoreactivity was observed. Conclusions. The abundant protein S‐100 positive nerve fibers implies an impact of myelinated nerves in the cervix uteri during pregnancy. The abundant dendritic cells, positive for HLA‐DR and S‐100, especially at term, indicates a general activation of the immune system until late pregnancy and parturition. The changed occurrence and distribution of immunoreactivity for CGRP, VlP and PHM‐27 suggest a release of these neuropeptides until term. The changes in NPY immunoreactivity indicate a release of NPY around parturition.