Polarization-sensitive Imaging of Uterine Cervical Structures to Determine Risk of Preterm Labor

Featuring Jessica Ramella-Roman, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University. 

Cervical remodeling is a critical biomechanical process that facilitates parturition, yet the structural dynamics underlying this phenomenon remain poorly understood. This study employs polarization-sensitive imaging modalities, including polarization-resolved Second Harmonic Generation (p-SHG) microscopy, to quantitatively analyze the reorganization of collagen fibers within the cervical extracellular matrix throughout murine pregnancy. By integrating polarization-sensitive detection, these imaging approaches enable enhanced contrast and specificity for assessing the anisotropic properties of collagen, providing sub-micron resolution and precise mapping of collagen fiber orientation and polarization signatures across the entire cervix. 

Early gestational stages reveal a highly organized, circumferential arrangement of collagen fibers concentrated around the cervical os. As pregnancy advances, significant disruption in collagen alignment is observed, accompanied by a progressive loss of structural order. Polarization analysis further elucidates changes in collagen birefringence and molecular organization, offering insights beyond conventional intensity-based imaging. Statistical analyses corroborate these findings, demonstrating a strong correlation between the degradation of collagen organization and the reduction in mechanical stiffness necessary for cervical dilation during childbirth. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of collagen remodeling through polarization-sensitive optical methods and highlights their implications for understanding the biomechanics of both normal and pathological labor.