Experimental Morphology Research Unit, Morphology Department, Fluminense Federal University, Av. Prof. Hernani Mello, 101 24.210-150, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Medical Sciences Post Graduation Program, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Int Urogynecol J. 2023 Nov;34(11):2737-2741. doi: 10.1007/s00192-023-05598-y. Epub 2023 Jul 12.
Collagen is a protein that confers robustness and resilience to several tissues. In the female reproductive system, collagen plays a critical role in maintaining the health and function of the vaginal walls. Aging leads to collagen reduction, which may cause vaginal dryness, irritation, and prolapse. We aim to analyze the structure and profile of collagen in the anterior vaginal wall of healthy pre-menopausal (pre-M) and post-menopausal (post-M) women under a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Fragments of the anterior vaginal wall were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Histological preparations were performed at first with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin stain. Decellularized preparations were conducted, and the specimens were placed under an SEM to allow observation of the 3D organization of collagen.
Decellularized preparations of the pre-M specimens showed a vaginal wall with an irregular subepithelial layer, organized with ECM projections. The subepithelium evidenced the network of collagen fibrils, which seemed to support the epithelium as a basal layer. In specimens of post-M, a fusion of a network of fibrils from different direction axes was evidenced, with plate formation observed in the subepithelial plane, disfiguring the structural organization of fibrils.
Older specimens showed a remodeling of collagen organization in comparison with younger samples of the anterior vaginal wall.
胶原蛋白是一种赋予多种组织韧性和弹性的蛋白质。在女性生殖系统中，胶原蛋白在维持阴道壁的健康和功能方面起着关键作用。随着年龄的增长，胶原蛋白会减少，这可能导致阴道干燥、刺激和脱垂。我们旨在通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）分析健康绝经前（pre-M）和绝经后（post-M）女性前阴道壁的胶原蛋白结构和特征。
采集前阴道壁的碎片，并进行光镜和扫描电子显微镜检查。首先用 Weigert 的间苯二酚品红染色进行组织学制备。进行脱细胞化处理，将标本置于 SEM 下，以观察胶原蛋白的 3D 组织。
pre-M 标本的脱细胞化处理显示出具有不规则的上皮下层的阴道壁，由 ECM 突起组织。上皮下组织中可见胶原纤维的网络，这些纤维似乎作为基底层支撑着上皮。在 post-M 的标本中，证据表明不同方向轴的纤维网络融合，在下皮平面观察到板形成，破坏了纤维的结构组织。
与前阴道壁的年轻样本相比，老年标本显示胶原蛋白组织的重塑。
