Morphological and Functional Changes in the Vagina following Critical Lifespan Events in the Ewe.
Biomechanics
Delivery
Genital tract
Menopause
Reproduction
Sheep
Vagina
Journal
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation
ISSN: 1423-002X
Titre abrégé: Gynecol Obstet Invest
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 7900587
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2019
2019
Historique:
received:
11
07
2018
accepted:
11
11
2018
pubmed:
14
1
2019
medline:
24
10
2019
entrez:
14
1
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The ewe is increasingly being used as an animal model for pelvic floor disorders. The aim was to further characterize changes in the vaginal properties during its entire lifespan. Vaginal tissues were collected at different stages of reproductive life (neonatal, prepubescence, nulliparous, primiparous, multiparous, and menopausal; ≥6 ewes/group). Vaginal size, as well as active and passive biomechanics, was measured. Microscopy included thickness of glycogen, epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis thickness, densities of collagen, elastin, smooth muscle, and nerves. Vaginal dimensions increase during adolescence, peak at reproductive levels, and decrease sharply after ovariectomy. One year after first delivery, the distal vagina gets more compliant, yet this is reversed later in life. The thickness of glycogen staining epithelial layers changed with puberty and menopause. The epithelium was markedly thicker after multiple deliveries. The thickness of lamina propria and muscularis increased in puberty and in nulliparous. Semi-quantitative collagen assessment demonstrated a lower collagen and higher elastin content after first and multiple deliveries. The changes in the ovine vaginal wall during representative moments of her lifespan parallel those observed in women.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND/AIMS
OBJECTIVE
The ewe is increasingly being used as an animal model for pelvic floor disorders. The aim was to further characterize changes in the vaginal properties during its entire lifespan.
METHODS
METHODS
Vaginal tissues were collected at different stages of reproductive life (neonatal, prepubescence, nulliparous, primiparous, multiparous, and menopausal; ≥6 ewes/group). Vaginal size, as well as active and passive biomechanics, was measured. Microscopy included thickness of glycogen, epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis thickness, densities of collagen, elastin, smooth muscle, and nerves.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Vaginal dimensions increase during adolescence, peak at reproductive levels, and decrease sharply after ovariectomy. One year after first delivery, the distal vagina gets more compliant, yet this is reversed later in life. The thickness of glycogen staining epithelial layers changed with puberty and menopause. The epithelium was markedly thicker after multiple deliveries. The thickness of lamina propria and muscularis increased in puberty and in nulliparous. Semi-quantitative collagen assessment demonstrated a lower collagen and higher elastin content after first and multiple deliveries.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The changes in the ovine vaginal wall during representative moments of her lifespan parallel those observed in women.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30636254
pii: 000495348
doi: 10.1159/000495348
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
360-368Informations de copyright
© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.