Research Into Nature's Methods Of Easing Birth

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30108, 17 April 1963, Page 12

Research Into Nature's Methods Of Easing Birth

Research into thae mechanism by which certain ligaments in pregnant mammals become more than usually extensible as birth approaches is being carried out by Dr. E. G. Bassett, of the endocrinology research unit of the Medical Research Council at the Otago Medical School.

The object of the changes is to facilitate birth. If for any reason the ligaments do not give as they should, the birth is likely to be difficult. On the other hand, too much extension of ligaments may result in other complications such as vaginal prolapse, particularly in sheep. The ligaments affected are different in different species. The ligaments in the fibrous part of the sacro-iliac joint change in nearly all mammals, including man; the pubic symphysis yields in only a few, including man, the mouse, the guinea-pig, and the hedgehog. The sacrosciatic ligaments change mainly in the pig and the sheep, and in cattle; in some species, there are changes in other ligaments, such as the tendons of origin of the muscles of the pelvic outlet.

The changes start about half-way through pregnancy, but the ligaments rapidly revert to normal as soon as the young are born. In a few species, there are similar but usually less-marked changes in oestrus.

For her experiments on the basic mechanism of the changes. Dr. Bassett originally worked with sheep, which, she said, provided her with much valuable information. Now, however, she use? animals such as ferrets and guinea-pigs. which ire •mailer and easier to handle and have a shorter reproductive cycle. ■Hie changes in the cells of the ligamentous tissue, which result in its greater extensibility. are brought about mainly by hormones, although

sometimes, as in mam there may also be mechanical pressure from the foetus. Dr Bassett’s main aim is to find when the hormones are liberated. which hormones are responsible for which changes, and what level of hormone ia nsceaaary ro bring about the changes. Among the methods she uses are the injection of hormones into castrated or spayed animals and the examination of the ligamentous tissues under electron and light microscopes.

Meeting of Creditors.—A meeting of creditors ofßuth Corson, housewife, was adjourned sine die yesterday because there was not a quorum. She was adjudged bankrupt on April 2 Mr D. Malcolm, chairman, said the bankrupt’s statement of affairs showed debts totalling £B5 2s »d and no assets