A Pilot Study Identifying Type V Collagenolytic Activity in Human Amniotic Fluid

ABSTRACT

Amniorrhexis complicates pregnancies if it occurs in a preterm pregnancy or remote from the onset of labor in a term pregnancy. There are different collagen types (l-V) that create the extracellular matrix of the amnion. Collagenases specific to these collagen types, with the exception of type V collagen, are found in human amniotic fluid, fibroblasts, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and bacteria. Type V collagen is a major component of the amniotic basement membrane and is responsible for maintaining a barrier to bacteria and to the loss of amniotic fluid. We sought to find evidence of type V collagenolytic activity in human amniotic fluid obtained from pregnancies in different clinical states.

Keywords

Type V collagen - amniorrhexis - type V collagenase