Effect of Hormones on Collagen Metabolism and Collagenase Activity in the Pubic Symphysis Ligament of the Guinea Pig

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Abstract
The ligament which forms between the pubic bones of the pregnant guinea pig offers a unique system for the study of hormonal regulation of connective tissue metabolism. During the 5 days prior to parturition the length and hydroxyproline content of the pubic symphysis increase 3-fold. In nonpregnant animals, ligament growth can be induced in an estrogen-primed animal only following the administration of the hormone relaxin. A further increase in length can be achieved when progesterone is also injected. Removal and culture of post-partum ligaments, which undergo a 75% reduction in length and hydroxyproline content by the 5th post-partum day, allowed the demonstration of high collagenase levels released into the media. In contrast, when ligaments from the pre-partum period were cultured, low levels of collagenase were detected in the media. The rapid post-partum ligament resorption could be partially inhibited if estrogen was injected immediately following parturition, whereas progesterone or relaxin significantly impaired ligament resorption. In a corresponding fashion, when the collagenase levels of these ligaments were measured progesterone treatment inhibited collagenase activity markedly while estrogen was less effective. Relaxin appeared to have no direct inhibitory effect.

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