Quantitative assessment of collagen remodeling during murine pregnancy with polarization-resolved second harmonic generation

Uterine cervical remodeling is essential for childbirth, yet little is known about this important mechanism. This study uses polarization-resolved Second Harmonic Generation imaging to investigate structural changes in the cervical extracellular matrix, particularly collagen, during pregnancy. The technique provides high-resolution (0.4 µm) images of collagen fiber orientation across the entire murine cervix. Results show that collagen fibers are tightly organized around the cervical os in early pregnancy but become disordered as pregnancy progresses. Statistical analysis confirms a loss of collagen order, which correlates with reduced mechanical strength needed for childbirth. These findings offer deeper insights into cervical remodeling and could inform future research on pathological or premature labor.