Gene expression and immunolocalization of hormone receptors in the uterine cervix of primiparous and multiparous senescent mice during pregnancy and postpartum

• Grant number: 23/16543-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Sílvio Roberto Consonni
• Grantee: Rafaela Dias Neves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: During a woman's reproductive life, various factors contribute to changes in the organs, such as age, pregnancy and childbirth. The uterine cervix plays an important role in supporting and protecting the pelvic organs and hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and relaxin influence changes in cervical tissue. Loss of hormonal homeostasis can lead to changes in the integrity of the uterine cervix, which can cause pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). However, little is known about the mechanisms that affect the integrity of the uterine cervix and how these hormones may be related to these alterations. Therefore, animal models are important for investigating and understanding PFD.Objectives: To evaluate and characterize the gene expression and immunolocalization of hormone receptors in the uterine cervix of primiparous and multiparous senescent mice during pregnancy and postpartum, which may contribute to the understanding of PAD and support research investigating the pathophysiological and molecular pathways of reproduction with alterations in the birth canal.Method: Histological evaluation, morphometric analysis of the uterine cervix, protein localization and evaluation of gene expression of estrogen, progesterone and relaxin hormone receptors in primiparous and multiparous senescent mice during pregnancy and postpartum. The biological materials to be used in this project have already been collected in a previous project by the research group on days six (D6) and 18 of pregnancy (D18) and three (3dpp) and 21 days postpartum (21dpp). Expected results: We hope to compare gene expression and immunolocalization of hormone receptors between primiparous and multiparous senescent animals in order to find possible evidence of loss of tissue homeostasis.