Amniotic fluid concentrations of collagenase-1 and collagenase-3 are increased in polyhydramnios.

Objective: Polyhydramnios places increased tension on the fetal membranes and should conceptually be associated with an increased need for tissue remodeling to prevent premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Herein we use polyhydramnios as a model to study the association of the collagenase class of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with tissue remodeling during pregnancy.

Methods: Amniotic fluids were collected by transabdominal amniocentesis from women with polyhydramnios and from women with normal amniotic fluid volume at second trimester, third trimester and at term.