Abstract
BackgroundThe uterus is exposed to changes such as enlargement and distension during pregnancy and labor. In these processes and in the process of cervical ripening, proprioceptive information is likely to be of great importance. Therefore, we wanted to study the possible existence of sensory nerve corpuscles in uterine corpus and cervix during pregnancy and labor. Studies on this aspect have not previously been perfomed.MethodsBiopsies were taken from the upper edge of the hysterotomy during caesarean section at term (n = 8), in labor (n = 5) and from the corresponding area in the non-pregnant uterus after hysterectomy (n = 7). Cervical biopsies were obtained transvaginally from the anterior cervical lip. Serial cryostat sections were prepared for immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies against nerve growth factor receptor p75, protein gene product 9.5 and S-100.ResultsStructures with the characteristics of sensory nerve corpuscles were observed in several specimens after staining for p75, PGP 9.5 and S-100. They were observed in specimens of the non-pregnant corpus and cervix and also in specimens of the pregnant cervix before onset of labor. However, they were absent in all specimens during labor.ConclusionSensory 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.
Highlights
The innervation of the corpus and the cervix uteri has been described in several studies focusing on different aspects
It is likely that nerve-mediated effects play important roles in the processes that occur during labor and cervical ripening, effects involving nerves that transmit afferent proprioceptive information
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
Summary
The innervation of the corpus and the cervix uteri has been described in several studies focusing on different aspects. It is likely that nerve-mediated effects play important roles in the processes that occur during labor and cervical ripening, effects involving nerves that transmit afferent proprioceptive information. 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. The uterus is exposed to changes such as enlargement and distension during pregnancy and labor In these processes and in the process of cervical ripening, proprioceptive information is likely to be of great importance. We wanted to study the possible existence of sensory nerve corpuscles in uterine corpus and cervix during pregnancy and labor.
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