LEUKOCYTIC INVASION OF THE OVINE CERVIX AT PARTURITION

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use the activity of a leukocyt e-specific enzyme, myeloperoxidase, to quantify changes in leukocyte c oncentration in the ovine cervix during pregnancy. METHODS: Cervical t issue was collected under halothane general anesthesia from 26 sheep a t different stages of gestation, in the nonpregnant state, and postpar tum. Myeloperoxidase activity was used to assess the degree of leukocy tic infiltration of the tissue. RESULTS: Myeloperoxidase activity was low in cervices from nonpregnant ewes and did not increase during preg nancy until the onset of labor. Myeloperoxidase activity decreased aft er parturition. CONCLUSION: Labor in sheep is associated with leukocyt ic invasion of the cervix. This observation suggests that leukocytes c ould participate in cervical connective-tissue reorganization during d ilatation at parturition and in postpartum involution of the cervix in this species.