The present morphometric study revealed that, in comparison with adult nonpregnant uteri, the number of myometrial telocytes was significantly lower in immature and pregnant uteri and significantly higher in postpartum uteri. An explanation to this finding may be that the immature uterus has no or weak contractile activity, which then progresses with puberty for expulsion of menstrual debris, sperm transport, and parturition 42.
To our knowledge, this is the first report determining the existence and frequency of telocytes in premature, pregnant, and postpartum uteri. Further studies are needed to characterize uterine telocytes at the time of parturition. Gaining better understanding of uterine telocytes could help in developing therapeutic strategies for the treatment of problematic conditions such as dysmenorrhea, recurrent pregnancy loss, and premature birth.
There is no conflict of interest to declare.
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