Increasing matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity by treatment of ovine cervical explants with a long-acting analogue of oxytocin (Carbetocin) at the expected time of artificial insemination.

The aim was to study the effect of long-acting analogue of oxytocin (Carbetocin) on cervical collagenolysis of MAP-eCG synchronized ewes. At the expected time of artificial insemination, five ewes were slaughtered (n = 5) and their cervical explants (100-200 mg) were incubated during 12 h with MEM supplemented with 0, 8, 16, 32 and 64 ng/mL of Cb. Activities of activated and latent forms of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and - 9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9, respectively) in the supernatant were determined by a SDS-PAGE zymography and prostaglandin E2 concentration by immunoassay.

Collagen, glycosaminoglycans and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 in the cervix of the ewe during prepubertal development.

The tortuous nature of the ovine cervix restricts the transcervical passage of the cannula, and many studies have aimed to understand the endocrine mechanism of the remodelling of cervical tissue in adult ewe. However, little is known about the remodelling of the cervical tissue during the prepubertal development of the lambs. To obtain histochemical and biochemical evidence about the nature of the prepubertal development of the cervix of the ewe, cervices of Corriedale lambs obtained at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 months of age (n = 5 to 6 in each) were processed.