Sensory Nerve Corpuscles in the Uterus During Pregnancy and Labor
Author Information
Author(s): Berith K Tingåker, Gunvor Ekman-Ordeberg, Sture Forsgren
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institute
Hypothesis
Are there sensory nerve corpuscles in the human corpus and cervix uteri during pregnancy and labor?
Conclusion
Sensory corpuscles have been detected in the human corpus and cervix uteri for the first time.
Supporting Evidence
- Sensory corpuscles were found in the non-pregnant cervix and corpus.
- Corpuscles were present in the term-pregnant cervix before labor.
- No corpuscles were found in the cervix during labor.
Takeaway
The study found special nerve structures in the uterus that help it sense changes during pregnancy, but these structures disappear during labor.
Methodology
Biopsies were taken from pregnant and non-pregnant women, and examined using immunohistochemistry.
Limitations
The samples may not fully represent all stages of pregnancy and labor.
Participant Demographics
{"non_pregnant":{"n":7,"mean_age":45,"mean_parity":3},"term_pregnant":{"n":8,"mean_age":33,"mean_gestational_age":40},"in_labor":{"n":5,"mean_age":27}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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