Uterine Collagenase and Collagen in Young and Ageing Rabbits

Abstract

Kao, 1963; Schaub, /65, 1965.This investigation was conducted to examine changes in uterine collagen and collagenase activity in ageing female rabbits with declining reproductive ability.Fifteen parous does were divided into three groups of five, averaging 34, 167 and 204 weeks of age and averaging one, nine and twenty-four previous litters, respectively. The does were killed and exsanguinated between 66 and 75 hr after parturition. In preliminary trials, this was found to be the time of highest collagenase activity. Woessner (1962) found the peak of collagen degradation in the involuting rat uterus to be between 48 and 72 hr after parturition. The uteri were removed and excess fluids were squeezed out before weighing. To measure collagenase content, each horn was cut longitudinally along the mesenteric and antimesenteric region and a 5-g (wet weight) sample was removed, minced and homogenized for 10 min with 30 ml 0-01 M-calcium acetate (according to Kit 08001 -8300, Mann Research Laboratories). The homo¬ genate was centrifuged at 15,000 g for 15 min and the supernatant was decanted and filtered into a measuring cylinder. Collagenase activity was determined according to the method of Wünsch & Heidrich (1963) using a synthetic chromophore, acyl-pentapeptide, 4-phenyl-azo-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-prolyl-Lleucyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-D-arginine dihydrate (Mann Research Laboratories). The assay was conducted at 37°C and a pH of 7-1. These conditions were chosen

Determinants of uterine aging: lessons from rodent models

“…The distribution of this collagen deposition was mainly in endometrial stroma and smooth muscle [57]. Previous studies have confirmed the increased fibrosis with age in the uterus of the rats [50], mice [58] and rabbits [59]. There was an age-related increase in the number of mast cells in the uterus, which was known to be associated with fibrotic processes [60].…”

Mares with Delayed Uterine Clearance Have an Intrinsic Defect in Myometrial Function1

“…In other species, an increase in collagen deposition within the endometrium and myometrium is associated with advancing age and may interfere with uterine function [27,28]. Delayed uterine clearance is associated with older broodmares [7], and increased collagen deposition within the endometrium of older mares also is well documented [12].…”

Pz‐peptidase Activity in the Pregnant and Non‐pregnant Human Cervix

“…Preliminary studies demonstrated a number of effects previously reported as specific to collagenase in the rat and rabbit uterus (Maurer and Foote, 1972). Binding of free calcium ions by the addition of 2M ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid reduced activity by a factor of two, boiling by a factor of five, and the addition of cystine at 10-3M doubled the activity.…”

“…The residue was suspended, homogenised and centrifuged again and the supernatant was incubated with substrate for 15 minutes. PZ-peptidase activity was determined using a synthetic chromophore substrate, 4-phenyl-azo-benzyloxy-carbonyl-Lprolyl-L-leucyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-D-arginine dihydraie (PZ-peptide, Boehringer Corporation (London) Ltd) as described by Maurer and Foote (1972), and a modification of a technique described by Wunsch and Heidrich (1963).…”