Increased density of macrophages in peripartum cervix at term and with PR antagonist-induced preterm birth.

<p>Macrophages normalized to cell nuclei/area to account for tissue hypertrophy in sections of cervix (mean±SE, n = 4–7 rats/group at each postbreeding date). Groups and statistical comparisons are the same as in legends to <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0081340#pone-0081340-g001" target="_blank">Figures 1</a> and <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0081340#pone-0081340-g003" target="_blank">3</a> (p<0.05 ANOVA; Con D21.5 vs D17.5, Student's t-test p = 0.04, t = 2.5, df = 8). ^# p<0.05 versus Con D17.5, D18, and D21.5 groups. For perspective, all pregnant rats in the present study had significantly more macrophage in cervix sections compared to that in nonpregnant rats (0.41±0.102/µm³ x 10⁻², n = 6 <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0081340#pone.0081340-Boyd1" target="_blank">[30]</a>; p<0.05 ANOVA).