AGE-RELATED DISTRIBUTION OF COLLAGEN AND GLYCOPROTEINS IN THE BLOOD-VESSELS OF THE HUMAN UTERINE TUBE

Localization and distribution of both collagen (types I, III, IV, V, V I) and glycoproteins (undulin, fibronectin, laminin, tenascin, vitrone ctin) in the blood vessels of the human uterine tube were investigated immunohistochemically. In the tubal arteries of premenopausal and pos tmenopausal women, type I, III, V and VI collagen and undulin have ver y characteristic distribution patterns. The proteins could be observed predominantly in both the intima and a zone between media and adventi tia. This zone was condensed in arteries after the menopause. With inc reasing age, the reactivity of type I, III, V and VI collagen and undu lin increased even more. Furthermore, the glycoproteins fibronectin, l aminin, tenascin and vitronectin were also detected. Relating to immun ohistochemical reactivity of these glycoproteins no age-dependent diff erences in the tubal arteries existed. The staining intensity of fibro nectin was always weaker compared to that of undulin. Similarly to lam inin and type IV collagen fibronectin was detected in intima and media . Tenascin was also found in blood vessels and prominently in the medi a and intima. Vitronectin was associated with fine granular and fibrou s structures in the intima and the media of all arterial and venous ve ssels. The enhanced perimenopausal production of both collagen and und ulin in the arterial wall should lead to changes of the elastic proper ties of the tubal arteries.