Figure 6.

Quantification of the smooth muscle area (SMCs), collagen, and interstitial spaces in the murine endo- and ectocervix across normal gestation and term labor by using Visiopharm Software on Masson Trichome stained cervical sections. Cervixes from gestational day (GD) 15, 18, 19 and term labor, were stained by Masson Trichome histologic stain, then underwent image analysis using Visiopharm Software Engine (version 6.6.1.2572). Data is represented as stacked bars, where the length of each portion of the bar (SMCs = dotted, collagen = grey, and interstitial spaces = black) corresponds to their respective area (mm²) that contributes to entire area of the (A) endo- or (B) ectocervix at that gestational time point (i.e. the entire length of the bar is the total area of the endo-or ectocervix). Increasing areas of interstitial spaces drive the increase in total cervical area of both sub-regions of mouse cervix. (n = 3–4/GD).