The dry and wet weights of the uterus (caruncular and intercaruncular areas) and cervix were measured in non-pregnant (n = 5) and pregnant (n = 25) ewes post mortem; for the latter, five were obtained for each of the 5 months of gestation. The total collagen tissue content was measured in both areas of the uterus and cervix by hydroxyproline analysis and image analysis of Haematoxylin-Van Gieson stained tissue sections. Both wet and dry uterine weights increased significantly with gestational age (P < 0.001). The water content of uterine and cervical tissue remained constant, at between 83 per cent to 85 per cent and 76 per cent to 80 per cent, respectively. There was a close correlation between the two methods used to determine the collagen content (r = 0.96, P < 0.001), and between the increasing weight of the uterus during pregnancy and the total collagen content of tissues (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). At all stages, the total collagen content of the cervix [mean (SEM) 96.2 (5.4) mg g(-1)] was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that of the caruncular mean [mean (SEM) 24.3 (1.4) mg g(-1)], and the intercaruncular areas [mean (SEM) 29.0 (1.0) mg g(-1)]. The changes in uterine and cervical weights and collagen content of the tissues were similar to those reported in other related species.
Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.