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  • Title: The effects of oestradiol and relaxin on extensibility and collagen organisation of the pregnant rat cervix.
    Author: Cheah SH, Ng KH, Johgalingam VT, Ragavan M.
    Journal: J Endocrinol; 1995 Aug; 146(2):331-7. PubMed ID: 7561646.
    Abstract:
    The effects of exogenously introduced oestradiol-17 beta (E) and relaxin (RLX) on cervical extensibility and collagen organisation were tested in rats ovariectomised in late pregnancy. When the cervices were stretched in vitro by 1 mm increments, it was found that those from rats given E alone generated significantly higher tensions than those from control rats, while cervices from rats given both E and RLX had tensions similar to controls. Examination of cervical sections under the light microscope and ultra-thin sections under the electron microscope showed that the collagen fibres in the cervices from E-treated rats were highly organised, whereas those from animals given E+RLX and control animals were disorganised and dispersed. It was concluded that E decreased cervical extensibility, while RLX counteracted the effect of E to maintain a soft and easily extensible cervix.
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