Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Transformations of the Human Fallopian Tube Mucosa throughout the Menstrual Cycle

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 197–208

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000184

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Transformations of the Human Fallopian Tube Mucosa throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Names of Authors: Camila R. Silva¹, Mateo L. Fernandez²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; ²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract:
The fallopian tube mucosa undergo delicate structural adjustments to facilitate gamete transport and fertilization. This study quantified changes in epithelial cell height, ciliation index, and microvascular density within the human fallopian tube during distinct phases of the menstrual cycle. Fallopian tube tissue samples were obtained from 48 premenopausal women (aged 28 to 44 years) undergoing elective benign total hysterectomy. Samples were categorized into follicular (n = 22) and luteal (n = 26) phases based on endometrial histology. Sections from the ampulla and isthmus were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and CD31 immunohistochemistry for digital microvascular analysis. The mean epithelial height in the ampulla reached its peak during the late follicular phase (32.4 ± 2.1 μm) compared to the late luteal phase (21.5 ± 1.8 μm, p < 0.01). The ciliation index (percentage of ciliated cells) was significantly higher in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase (54.2% vs 41.8%, p < 0.05). CD31 immunostaining revealed that microvascular area density in the mucosal plicae was significantly elevated during the follicular phase (8.4 ± 1.1% vs 5.2 ± 0.7% in the luteal phase, p < 0.01). These results indicate that cyclical changes in ovarian steroids regulate mucosal structural remodeling and microvascular blood volume, maximizing anatomical support during the fertilization window.

Keywords: Fallopian Tube, Oviduct Mucosa, Histomorphometry, Cilia, Menstrual Cycle, CD31 Immunohistochemistry

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 04, 2026; Revised: August 14, 2026; Accepted: August 29, 2026; Published: September 14, 2026

Citation: Silva C.R., & Fernandez M.L. (2026). Histomorphometric and Vascular Density Transformations of the Human Fallopian Tube Mucosa throughout the Menstrual Cycle. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 197–208. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000184

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