الفهرس 
Anatomical & histological structureOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Pregnancy associated structural changes of the fallopian tube of rabbits with special reference to interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) - a microscopic study
Introduction: Histological structure of different regions of the Fallopian tube shows remarkable changes during pregnancy. Interstitial Cajal cell is known to play a key role in pacemaking motility in GIT and urinary tract. Its role in the motility of Fallopian tube is not fully explained.
Aim of the work: To describe the histological changes of the fallopian tube during early and late pregnancy and to throw spotlight on the morphology of Interstitial Cajal Like Cells (ICLCs) and to localize their regional distribution in the Fallopian tube in non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits.
Methods: Thirty adult female rabbits, divided into three equal groups; Group I (non-pregnant), Group II (Early pregnancy-day 4), and Group III (Late pregnancy-day 27). The ampulla was excised and processed for examination using H & E and PAS stained sections, anti-CD34 immunohistochemically stained sections, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphometry and statistical analysis of the findings were done and compared for significance.
Results: Non-pregnant group showed that ciliated cells were the major epithelial cell type, CD34 +ve ICLCs found maximally in superficial zone of lamina propria (LP) followed by musculosa, deep portion of LP and least in serosa. Early pregnancy group showed significant increase in the fallopian tube diameter and mucosal enfolding, significant reduction in ciliated cells and increase in secretory cells, significant increase in secretory cells height and development of secretory organelles, reduction in number of CD34 +ve ICLC in the superficial LP compared to non-pregnant animals, the number of CD34 +ve ICLC was highest in musculosa then LP. Late pregnancy group showed insignificant decrease in Fallopian tube diameter and mucosal enfolding, insignificant increase in ciliated cells and decrease in secretory cells compared to Group II, secretory cell height was diminished and returned to a value indifferent from Group I values, number of CD34 +ve ICLCs was almost indifferent from Group II. No remarkable changes were noted in the structure of musculosa layer. The serosa was thickened and exhibited increased number of blood vessels and congestion and dilatation in the pregnancy groups (II & III). The ultrastructure of ICLCs in different layers of the ampulla of fallopian tube of different groups showed characteristic long tortuous cytoplasmic processes with membrane caveolae and scanty endoplasmic reticula.
Conclusions: Histological changes of the fallopian tube during pregnancy include changes in size, degree of mucosal enfolding, proportions of mucosal epithelial cell types, secretory cells height and secretory activity, vascularity of the serosa and distribution of ICLCs. Some of the histological changes that occur during early pregnancy are minimized during late pregnancy while others persist.
Keywords: Cajal cell, Fallopian tube, Pregnancy, TEM, SEM