Alteration in the Collagen Content of the Human Uterus During Pregnancy and Post Partum Involution

The physiological resorption of collagen during recoveryfrom experimental cirrhosis was demonstrated in1947 (1). Factors which influence the deposition anddisappearance of collagen in experimental cirrhosis,as well as the phenomenon of the regression of scartissue, were examined subsequently (2, 3). A strikingresorption of collagen from the rat uterus followingparturition was described by Harkness and Harknessin 1954 (4). Later these authors (5), and Harkness andMoralee (6), suggested that the post partum uterus isespecially suitable for investigation of the physiologicaldissolution and catabolism of endogenous collagen. Thepresent study was undertaken to determine the alterationsin the nature and content of collagen occurring inthe myometrium of the human uterus during pregnancyand the post partum involutionary period