Fig. 6.

Effect of vaginal distention on pelvic organ support in young WT, Fbln5^+/−, and Fbln5^−/− mice. Vaginal distention or sham operation was conducted at 6 wk of age (i.e., ≥ 6 wk before the onset of prolapse in Fbln5^−/− mice). Perineal bulge stage (A), magnitude of perineal bulge (B), and change in perineal body length (C) in Fbln5 ^−/− (•, n = 13); Fbln5^+/− (○, n = 11), and WT (▾, n = 6) animals. Shading indicates the time at which measurements begin to increase during the natural history of prolapse in Fbln5^−/− animals. Data are expressed as means ± SE.