Figure 1

Guinea-pig interpubic symphysis distance (A) and collagen remodeling in the interpubic ligament (B) were simultaneously measured in nonpregnant animals (NP), along pregnancy (P), immediately after parturition (iAP) and at postpartum (PP). Collagen remodeling was measured by the picrosirius-polarization method as changes in the intensity of birefringence. Note that the lowest intensity of birefringence evidences the highest collagen remodeling and coincides with the maximum value of ligament length. Bars represent the mean symphysis distance (± SEM) of five animals/group.