Repeated birth injuries lead to long-term pelvic floor muscle dysfunction in the preclinical rat model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vaginal childbirth is a key risk factor for pelvic floor muscle injury and dysfunction, and subsequent pelvic floor disorders. Multiparity further exacerbates these risks. Using the rat model, validated for the studies of the human pelvic floor muscles, we have previously identified that a single simulated birth injury results in pelvic floor muscle atrophy and fibrosis.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that multiple birth injuries would further overwhelm the muscle regenerative capacity, leading to functionally relevant pathological alterations long-term.

Study design

Sprague-Dawley rats underwent simulated birth injury and were allowed to recover for 8 weeks before undergoing additional birth injury. Animals were sacrificed at acute (3 and 7 days postinju

SUBMITTER: Duran P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11757040 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature