Morphology of the epithelium of the fallopian tubes of rats under the influence of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the functional morphology of the ciliary transport system of the fallopian tubes of sexually mature rats under the influence of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation.Material and methods. Using a complex technique of intravital microscopic observation, the motor activity of the ciliary apparatus was studied. The frequency of the main types of epithelial cells in the layer was determined on histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. There was also determined morphometry of digitized images of cell structures (cell height, length of cilia) of the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes of 16 female Wistar rats subjected to experimental chronic γ-irradiation for 55–70 days (total absorbed doses – 5 cGy and 50 cGy) and 8 control animals that were under natural background radiation.Results. The epithelium of the fallopian tubes in the control and experiment in rats contains three types of cells: ciliated, secretory and intercalary (cambial). Compared to the control of the irradiated rats the average height of ciliated cells and the length of cilia were decreased by 30% and 23%, respectively, at a total absorbed dose of 5 cGy and by 16% and 13% at 50 cGy (p 18% (p recorded, while the dimensional characteristics of secretory cells did not significantly differ from the control (p>0,05).Conclusions. The effects of chronic low-intensity γ-radiation on the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes can be clearly manifested at the level of physiological reactions of cells; irradiation at a minimum dose of 5 cGy is already capable of causing atrophic rearrangements and dysfunction of the ciliated epithelium. The results obtained indicate a high radiosensitivity of the studied tissue elements and make it possible to consider chronic ionizing radiation as a potential risk factor disrupting the structure and function of the epithelial lining of the organ.