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Cervical Changes 1: Morphological and Biochemical Changes

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Preterm Labor and Delivery

Part of the book series: Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics ((CGO))

Abstract

Delivery progresses while contractions take place and the cervical canal ripens. This phenomenon can be compared to two wheels of a car. Contractions are induced by oxytocic substances, including prostaglandin (PG) F2α and oxytocin, while increased collagen degrading enzyme activity in the cervical canal promotes cervical ripening. These processes are positioned as deliberately programmed physiological inflammatory reactions in normal delivery. Intermediate modulators, including inflammatory cytokines, play the role of upstream regulators. Changes in endocrine profiles and extensive stimulation induce these intermediate modulators. In principle, the mechanism of premature delivery is the same as that of normal delivery. In premature delivery, however, the stimulation of intermediate modulators may cause infection/inflammation, such as chorioamnionitis and uteroplacental insufficiency. Recently, researchers have pointed out that decreased progesterone might induce premature delivery. Infection/inflammation, uteroplacental circulation insufficiency, and changes in hormone profiles that overwhelm the pregnancy-sustaining mechanism are factors that induce premature delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan

    Naohiro Kanayama M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Naohiro Kanayama M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Naohiro Kanayama M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miyazaki, Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki, Japan

    Hiroshi Sameshima

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Kanayama, N. (2020). Cervical Changes 1: Morphological and Biochemical Changes. In: Sameshima, H. (eds) Preterm Labor and Delivery. Comprehensive Gynecology and Obstetrics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9875-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9875-9_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-9874-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-9875-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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