Preterm labor is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and accounts for 70% of the total cost of neonatal health care. Premature softening of the cervix has been identified as one of the primary causes of preterm labor. As the biochemistry of the cervix is distinct between the proximal and distal portions, the objective of this study was to determine the viscoelastic properties of these portions in mid-pregnancy (Day 15–16) relative to virgin Long-Evans rats. This will serve to establish baseline data for future studies that will aim to induce preterm labor in this model. The cervix was divided into distal and proximal portions that were tested independently. Each portion was tested in unconfined compression to 20% strain and held for 4 minutes followed by a recovery period of 30 minutes. The stress-relaxation response was modeled using the quasi-linear viscoelastic (QLV) theory developed by Professor Fung (1972). The parameters governing the viscous response, C, τ1 and τ2, were found to be significantly different between virgin and pregnant tissues in distal portions; however τ2 was the only viscous parameter found to be significantly different for the proximal portion (p<0.05). These results show an increased magnitude of the viscous response with more rapid relaxation for the pregnant cervix. Future studies will evaluate the cervix both postpartum and upon induction of preterm labor. Additionally, contractile and biochemical assays will be used to correlate these changes in passive behavior to active properties and tissue constituents.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference
June 16–19, 2010
Naples, Florida, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Bioengineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4403-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Viscoelastic Behavior of the Rat Uterine Cervix at Mid-Pregnancy
William R. Barone,
William R. Barone
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Andrew J. Feola,
Andrew J. Feola
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Pam A. Moalli,
Pam A. Moalli
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Steven D. Abramowitch
Steven D. Abramowitch
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
William R. Barone
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Andrew J. Feola
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Pam A. Moalli
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Steven D. Abramowitch
University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, PA
Paper No:
SBC2010-19527, pp. 697-698; 2 pages
Published Online:
July 15, 2013
Citation
Barone, WR, Feola, AJ, Moalli, PA, & Abramowitch, SD. "Viscoelastic Behavior of the Rat Uterine Cervix at Mid-Pregnancy." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference. ASME 2010 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B. Naples, Florida, USA. June 16–19, 2010. pp. 697-698. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SBC2010-19527
Download citation file:
2
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Biphasic Poroviscoelastic Simulation of the Unconfined Compression of Articular Cartilage: I—Simultaneous Prediction of Reaction Force and Lateral Displacement
J Biomech Eng (April,2001)
Related Chapters
Processing/Structure/Properties Relationships in Polymer Blends for the Development of Functional Polymer Foams
Advances in Multidisciplinary Engineering
Characterization of Tissue Viscoelasticity from Shear Wave Speed Dispersion
Biomedical Applications of Vibration and Acoustics in Imaging and Characterizations
The Stirling Engine
Air Engines: The History, Science, and Reality of the Perfect Engine