Changes of the uterine proteoglycan distribution at term pregnancy and during labour

Objective: To characterise uterine proteoglycans and changes therein during pregnancy and labour. Study Design: Uterine samples were collected from 6 non-pregnant, 10 term-pregnant and from 10 women in active tabour. The proteoglycans were extracted by 4 M guanidine hydrochloride and precipitated with Alcian Blue. They were separated by electrophoresis and identified by Western blotting. Results: Decorin was the dominating proteoalycan and smaller amounts of biglycan was found. A considerable amount of heparan sulphate proteoglycans wag also detected. Decorin and biglycan decreased by 40% until term. The amount of heparan sulphate proteoglycans increased by 46% during active labour. Conclusion: Our data indicate that a considerable remodelling of the uterine connective tissue occurs during pregnancy and labour. The decrease of decorin and biglycan and the increase of heparan sulphate proteoglycans may be important for normal myometrial contractions during tabour. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.