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Morphometric study of the human ovary during compartmentalization
C Sforza1, V F Ferrario, A De Pol
1Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
The Anatomical Record
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Human ovarian volume significantly increases from fetal development to infancy. Stereological analysis reveals shifts in tissue composition, with cortical tissue dominating early on and interstitial tissue becoming prominent at birth.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Human reproductive anatomy
- Stereology
Background:
- The human ovary undergoes significant structural and volumetric changes during development.
- Understanding ovarian compartmentalization is crucial for reproductive health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the volumetric composition of the human ovary during the compartmentalization stage.
- To quantify changes in ovarian volume and tissue components from fetal development through infancy.
Main Methods:
- Stereological methods were applied to eight human ovaries from fetuses (20-25 weeks), neonates, and an 8-month-old infant.
- Serial sections were examined, with one 1-micron section analyzed every 1,000 microns.
Main Results:
- Ovarian volume increased from 30 mm³ at 20 weeks to 287 mm³ at 8 months postnatally.
- In fetal ovaries, primitive cortical tissue was the largest component (60.2%), followed by interstitium (21%) and medulla (11.8%).
- At birth, interstitial tissue constituted the largest portion (44.2%), followed by medulla (20.3%) and germinal tissue (primordial and primitive cortical follicles, 31.2% combined).
Conclusions:
- Significant volumetric growth and compositional shifts occur in the human ovary from fetal life to infancy.
- The relative proportions of ovarian compartments change dramatically during early development, impacting ovarian function.