We have examined factors concerned with the maintenance of uterine quiescence during
pregnancy and the onset of uterine activity at term in an animal model, the sheep, and in …

Prostaglandins impact on ovarian, uterine, placental, and pituitary function to regulate
reproduction in female livestock. They play important roles in ovulation, luteal function …

OBJECTIVE: No randomized controlled trial has compared vaginal progesterone and
cervical cerclage directly for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a sonographic …

Abstract Changes in the collagen and glycosaminoglycan components of cervical
connective tissue were studied in nonpregnant, intact pregnant, and ovariectomized …

The discovery in 1910 (see Liggins, 1988, for historical review) of the dependence of
continuing pregnancy in rodents on the corpus luteum and the subsequent isolation of …

Saliva steroid levels reflect the unbound unconjugated (free, biologically active) plasma
hormone levels. Saliva oestriol (E3), oestradiol (E2), oestrone (E1) and progesterone levels …

Preterm labor is one of the major problems in obstetrics and its incidence has not decreased
since the mid-1980s. There have, however, been considerable advances in our …

The stretch modulus (stress/strain) of strips of ovine cervical tissue in vitro was measured at
different stages of gestation. A decrease in stretch modulus implies softening of the tissue …

Parturition involves a complex interplay of maternal and fetal factors. An understanding of
the physiological mechanisms involved in maternal adaptations would be of great benefit in …

Cervical dilatation is a prerequisite for the successful delivery of the fetus. Cervical dilation
failure is a frequent problem in bovine obstetrics. The prolonged parturition process due to …