Elastase activity of endocervical mucus in normal pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Cervical maturation is crucial for spontaneous labor in normal pregnancies.
• The role of specific enzymes in cervical ripening remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure elastase activity in endocervical mucus throughout pregnancy.
• To investigate the correlation between elastase activity, gestational age, and cervical maturation.
• To explore the presence and role of granulocyte elastase in cervical tissue.

Main Methods:

• Quantification of elastase activity in 294 endocervical mucus samples from 125 pregnant women.
• Immunohistochemical staining of cervical tissue to identify elastase-containing cells.
• Correlation analysis between enzyme activity, gestational age, and delivery timing.

Main Results:

• Elastase activity demonstrated a gradual increase with advancing gestational age.
• A significant rise in elastase activity was observed between 34-35 weeks, peaking at 37 weeks and remaining high until delivery.
• Immunohistochemistry revealed increased polymorphonuclear leukocytes with elastase granules in postpartal cervical tissue compared to early pregnancy.
• Higher elastase activity in the last four weeks of gestation correlated with rapid cervical maturation.

Conclusions:

• Granulocyte elastase activity in endocervical mucus increases significantly in late pregnancy.
• Findings support a role for granulocyte elastase in the physiological process of cervical maturation preceding spontaneous labor.
• Elastase-containing polymorphonuclear leukocytes are more abundant in cervical tissue near term and postpartum.