Comparative morphological characteristics of the fallopian tubes of fetuses and girls of the first year of life

Objective. To conduct a comparative study of topographic, anatomical and morphometric features of fallopian tubes in the late fetal period and in the first year of postnatal ontogenesis. Materials and methods . The uterine tubes (autopsy material) of 6 fetuses of 37-40 weeks of intrauterine development and 6 girls aged 0 to 1 year died from causes not related to pathology of genital organs and malformations served as the material for the study. The length of the right and left fallopian tubes was measured using the organometric method, and the linear dimensions of the main structural components of the fallopian tube walls were determined using the morphometric method. Results . The most significant changes in the thickness of the fallopian tube layers were observed on the serosa/adventitia side in all parts of the organ. When comparing fetuses and children of the first year of life, the greatest increase in the thickness of the serous/adventitial membrane was observed in the isthmus and ampulla of the organ, and the least – in the intramural part. The thickness of the muscularis of the fallopian tube, starting from the late fetal period and up to the first year of life, increases 4 times in the isthmus of the organ and 3.5 times in the ampulla. The appearance of lymphocytes in the epithelium of the fallopian tubes in infants has been established. Conclusion. Intensive growth of all uterine tube layers has been established, which is associated with the cessation of haematotrophic nutrition and transition to enteral type of nutrition, as well as with the change in the type of respiration. Intraepithelial lymphocytes appeared when comparing the features of histogenesis of the epithelial layer of the fallopian tube mucosa in infants and 37-40 weeks fetuses. The appearance of lymphocytes in the epithelial lining is associated with birth (change of habitat) and formation of own local immunity.