Changes

In ruminants the cervical mucus is expelled from the vagina during oestrous and is known as 'bulling string'. Bulling string therefore indicates that animal is in oestrous and should be mated.

In ruminants the cervical mucus is expelled from the vagina during oestrous and is known as 'bulling string'. Bulling string therefore indicates that animal is in oestrous and should be mated.

==Cervical Softening==

==Cervical Softening==

Immediately prior to birth, the pre-parturition cervix looses firmness. Cervical softening involves two changes in the intracellular matrix; firstly a reduction in the number of collagen fibres and secondly an increase in GAGs to decrease aggregation of the remaining collagen fibres.

Immediately prior to birth, the pre-parturition cervix looses firmness. Cervical softening involves two changes in the intracellular matrix; firstly a reduction in the number of collagen fibres and secondly an increase in GAGs to decrease aggregation of the remaining collagen fibres.

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Relaxin is produced by the ovaries and the placenta and together with progesterone prevent uterine contractions throughout the pregnancy. However, relaxin also aids in the loosening of tissues in the cervix and pelvic ligaments to loosen pre-parturition. Relaxin and PGE2 work in combination on the cervix.  

Relaxin is produced by the ovaries and the placenta and together with progesterone prevent uterine contractions throughout the pregnancy. However, relaxin also aids in the loosening of tissues in the cervix and pelvic ligaments to loosen pre-parturition. Relaxin and PGE2 work in combination on the cervix.