Stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy: Influence of maternal body mass index and age

Eva M. Sweeney, Denis J. Crankshaw, Yvonne O'Brien, Peter Dockery, John J. Morrison*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Knowledge of the stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy is limited. Uterine contractile performance may be altered in association with maternal obesity and advanced maternal age. The aim of this study was to investigate the stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy, and to evaluate a potential influence of maternal body mass index (BMI) and age. Study Design: Biopsies of human myometrium were obtained from 57 women at cesarean section (n = 26, n = 13, n = 18 normal, overweight and obese BMI, respectively), and volume fractions of smooth muscle and extracellular matrix were assessed using stereologic techniques. Results: The smooth muscle constituted 65.2% ± 8.9% (standard deviation) and the extracellular matrix 32.6% ± 7.7% (standard deviation) (n = 57). There was no correlation observed between maternal BMI, age, or parity with the fractional volumes of either smooth muscle or extracellular matrix. Conclusion: These results outline the stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy. Putative functional differences in contractility, pertaining to obese or older mothers, are not related to smooth muscle content.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume208
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Apr 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • maternal obesity
  • myometrium
  • pregnancy
  • stereology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stereology of human myometrium in pregnancy: Influence of maternal body mass index and age'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this