Relationships of maternal serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and tensile strength properties of the cervix in a rat model of chronic hypoxia

Chronic hypoxia induces measurable changes in maternal serum levels of VEGF and tensile properties of the rat cervix, specifically a shortening of the elastic phase. Hypoxia decreases the cervical strength to stretch and predisposes to rupture, but this effect seems to be unrelated to maternal serum levels of VEGF.