Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 are elevated in human preterm laboring uterine myometrium and exacerbate uterine contractility†.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP2/9) have previously been shown to be elevated in serum and amniotic fluid from women undergoing preterm birth. We performed experiments to determine the effects of MMP2/9 on uterine contraction and birth timing. Pregnant mice were injected daily with 50 mg/kg of SB-3CT or vehicle control beginning on gestational day 14-18 to determine if MMP2/9 inhibition would affect parturition timing. MMP2/9 expression in human myometrial tissue was determined by Simple Western (Wes) and semiquantitative western blot. Purified MMP2/9 and SB-3CT inhibitor were added to human myometrial strips to determine the effects of MMP2/9 on oxytocin-induced uterine contraction. Parturition was delayed in mice treated with MMP2/9 inhibitor SB-3CT. MMP2/9 protein levels were elevated in preterm laboring uterine myometrium. Gelatinase activity was confirmed in cell extracts and supernatants from immortalized and primary human uterine myometrial cells in culture. Addition of purified MMP2/9 increased the oxytocin-induced contractile response in myometrial tissue strips from pregnant women. In contrast, addition of the MMP2/9 inhibitor SB-3CT decreased the contractile response to oxytocin in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest abnormal MMP2/9 expression affects the contractile state of the uterine myometrium to promote parturition and that MMP2/9 inhibition attenuates this effect.

Young Adults' Understanding of Modifiable Risk Factors of Infertility.

Objective: Assess the knowledge of young adults regarding modifiable risk factors of infertility. Design: Web-based validated survey. Setting: University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Subjects: Undergraduate students at the UNR. Interventions: A survey encompassing participants' demographics, understanding of infertility risk factors, willingness to modify behaviors to prevent infertility, personal significance of fertility, previous sources for fertility knowledge, and preferred sources for fertility education. Main Outcome Measures: Subject-reported knowledge of modifiable risk factors for infertility and value of fertility. Results: A total of 427 individuals responded. Thirty-seven percent of females indicated that oral contraceptive pills negatively impact their future fertility and 34.4% were unsure. Regarding prior use of long-acting reversible contraceptives on future fertility, 31.4% of females believed it had a negative impact and 36.9% were unsure of its impact. Only 21.7% of males thought testosterone had a negative impact on fertility. Participants were significantly more likely to avoid certain modifiable risk factors to prevent infertility than they were to avoid excessive alcohol to prevent liver disease (p = 0.008). The largest percentage of women reported obtaining the most information about their fertility from social media. Conclusions: Young adults would benefit from and are interested in a better understanding of their fertility and modifiable risk factors for infertility. Obstetrics and gynecology physicians and primary care providers can use these findings to guide education and address misconceptions.