Changes in the extracellular matrix in the anterior vagina of women with or without prolapse.

To investigate the changes in the connective tissues located in the upper portion of the anterior vaginal wall, which are associated with anterior vaginal wall prolapse, 23 women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse were included in the study group and 15 women with normal genital support served as control group. The anterior vaginal wall tissue samples were obtained for immunohistochemical staining of collagen (type I, III, IV, V, VI), elastin, and glycoproteins from the extracellular matrix (fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin). The number of capillaries per arteriole and mitochondria numbers per smooth muscle cell were evaluated for demonstrating whether the anatomical prolapse affect on blood supply to these tissues. Collagen III was significantly less in the anterior vaginal wall of patients with anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Quantitative immunoreactivity of collagen I and III had significant positive correlations with ageing.