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We also detected a greater proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but an equal proportion of synthetic SMCs, in the upper versus lower cervix. Furthermore, we revealed that the lower cervix had infrequent spontaneous contractions, distension had a minimal effect on contractility, and the upper cervix had forceful contractions in response to labor-inducing agents (oxytocin and prostaglandin E\n            <jats:sub>2<\/jats:sub>\n            ). These findings identify regional differences in cervix contractility related to contractile SMC content and fiber organization, which could be targeted with diagnostic technologies and for therapeutic intervention.\n          <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1126\/sciadv.adr3530","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,12,18]],"date-time":"2024-12-18T18:58:47Z","timestamp":1734548327000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.34133\/aaas_crossmark","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":9,"title":["Regional differences in three-dimensional fiber organization, smooth muscle cell phenotype, and contractility in the pregnant mouse cervix"],"prefix":"10.1126","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7105-0529","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Christopher J.","family":"Hansen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA."},{"name":"Department of 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