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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Transvaginal Mesh Insertion in the Ovine Model
Published on: July 27, 2017
The effects of estrogen, progesterone and polypropylene mesh on vaginal smooth muscle cell proliferation
Peter Takacs1, Yanping Zhang, Sindy Jaramillo
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33010, USA. ptakacs@med.miami.edu
Objective:
To measure the effects of estrogen, progesterone and polypropylene mesh on vaginal smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Methods:
Primary smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures were performed from vaginal biopsies which were then incubated with estradiol (0.1 microM, 1 microM, 10 microM), progesterone (5 nM, 50 nM, 0.5 microM), or polypropylene mesh to assess cell proliferation.
Results:
In vitro vaginal SMC proliferation was significantly increased by estradiol but not by progesterone or by polypropylene mesh (relative cell number, mean +/- SD, control vs. estrogen 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.28 +/- 0.02, P=0.01; control vs. progesterone 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.02, P=NS and control vs. mesh, 0.24 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.01, P=NS). In addition, estradiol increased cell proliferation in a dose responsive fashion (estradiol dose: 0.1 microM, 1 microM, 10 microM) compared to control (P=0.01).
Conclusion:
Vaginal SMC proliferation is significantly increased by estrogen.
