sists mainly of collagen, hyaluronan, and proteoglycan. During gestation, it must close firmly to retain the fetus in the uterus. It undergoes ripening and dilatation at term, forming a parturient canal so that delivery can occur. During ripening, there are increases of collagen degradation in connective tissues, and proteoheparan sulfate, while decorin decreases. Inflammatory mediators, such a...
