Fig. 6.

MMPs activity. Uterine strips isolated from virgin, mid-Preg, and late-Preg rats were either nontreated (A, C, and E) or pretreated with MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor IV (SB-3CT, 10⁻⁶ M) (B, D, and F). The uterine tissue was then homogenized and prepared for gelatin zymography analysis. Digested bands corresponding to pro-MMP-2 (A and B), MMP-2 (C and D), and MMP-9 (E and F) were measured and presented (pixel intensity × mm² normalized to actin intensity). W/O, without. Data represent means ± SE, n = 4 to 6. *Significantly different (P < 0.05) from corresponding measurement in virgin rats. #Significantly different (P < 0.05) from corresponding measurements in the absence of MMP inhibitor.