Changes of glycoprotein and collagen immunolocalization in the uterine artery wall of postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is accompanied by an altered composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, it is unclear whether the changed ECM is the cause or the consequence of POP, as stretching of the tissue may have an effect on the composition of the ECM. To address this question, we analyzed the connective tissues of the uterine artery wall of postmenopausal women with and without POP.

Differential elastin and tenascin immunolabeling in the uterosacral ligaments in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.

Connective tissue, consisting mainly of collagen and structural glycoproteins, is an important part of the supportive structures of the genitourinary region. Relatively few data have been published with respect to the role of elastin and glycoproteins in pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Connective tissue of the uterosacral ligament in postmenopausal women with and without genital prolapse was compared.

Changes in the extracellular matrix in periurethral tissue of women with stress urinary incontinence.

Changes in structural support of the urethra and bladder neck have been proposed as important factors in the pathogenesis of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). In this context, we undertook an ultrastructural study on the periurethral connective tissue with an emphasis on incontinent women with normotonic and hypotonic urethras. Small specimens of periurethral connective tissue were obtained by dissection during a tension-free vaginal tape-implantation procedure in 34 stress urinary incontinent postmenopausal women with a normotonic urethra and 9 stress urinary incontinent postmenopausal women with a hypotonic urethra.

Tenascin in preinvasive lesions of the vulva and vulvar cancer.

Objective: Vulvar cancer is a rare malignancy, representing approximately 5% of all female genital tract cancers and 1% of all malignancies in women. The incidence of vulvar carcinoma in situ (VIN III) has nearly doubled from 1.1 to 2.

Periurethral connective tissue status of postmenopausal women with genital prolapse with and without stress incontinence.

Objective: Connective tissue consists mainly of collagen and structural glycoproteins and is considered an important factor of the supportive structures of the genitourinary region. Few data have been published as yet with respect to the role of connective tissue in pelvic floor relaxation and genuine stress incontinence (GSI). We compared periurethral connective tissue structures between continent and incontinent postmenopausal women with genital prolapse.