An in vitro model for the study of enzymatically mediated biomechanical changes in the chorioamniotic membranes.

The effects of different incubation media on the biomechanical properties of nine chorioamniotic membranes were studied. Significant alterations in strain/rupture, work/rupture, and rupture/tension values have been demonstrated after a 24 hour incubation period in pseudoamniotic fluid (PAF). These changes can be arrested if enzyme inhibitors are added to the incubation media. This study suggests that biomechanical alterations in the chorioamniotic membranes may be biomechanical, namely, enzymatically mediated.