Microscopic Analysis of the Uterine Endometrium in Postparturient Ewes

Abstract

Earlier we found that the puerperal period of ewes lambing in February was finished by day 34 post partum.The aim of this paper was to study the puerperal changes in ewes that lambed in September. Structural changes in the endometrium of the caruncular region were studied in 12 Slovak Merino ewes that lambed in September. The animals were killed on days 7, 17, 25 and 34 post partum. Samples were taken from the caruncular region of their uterine horns. The tissue samples were fixed, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin, and 7-10 mm sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Microscopic analysis was performed using a projection microscope. Simultaneously the collected material was stained with toluidine-blue, and examined on the semi-thin sections. The epithelium above the caruncles was entirely destroyed on day 7. Damaged mitochondria and dilated cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum were found in the electron micrographs. On day 17, the epithelium covered gradually a sizeable caruncle. The glandular epithelium was considerably degenerated. The caruncle was markedly reduced on day 25, and the endometrium was covered with epithelium. The endometrium was totally covered with epithelium, and cellular ultrastructure was no more damaged on day 34 post partum. The study of micromorphology of endometrial structure in caruncular area revealed that also in ewes that lambed in September, the puerperium is finished by day 34 post partum. Its course and timing did not differ from that seen in ewes lambing in February. The results extend the knowledge of the puerperal changes in different season of the year. Caruncular region, endometrium, ewe, histological structures, post partum, season of the year One of the factors that may unfavourably affect fertility is the course of the involutional and reparatory processes of the uterus in the postpartal period. At the onset of postpartal reproductive activity it is necessary to take into account the breed, the season of the year, nutrition, and the length of suckling (Kudláã 1985; DoleÏel 1989). The macroscopic changes occurring during involution of the sheep uterus were reported by Foote and Call (1969); Crowder et al. (1982); Botha (1976); Van Wyk et al. (1972); Krajniãáková (1990); Greyling and Van Niekerk (1991) in goat, and Massányi (1996) in rabbits. A comprehensive histological study of the sheep uterus post partum was carried out by Uren (1935); and Van Wyk et al. (1972) who found that the involution process of the uterus was completed by day 28 post partum. Botha (1976) reported that both the season and lactation influence epithelisation of the caruncles. The author observed sheep that lambed during the out-of-mating season (August) to have epithelisation in the caruncular region finished on day 34 post partum whereas those that lambed in the lambing season (March) on day 30 post partum.

Activity of alkaline and acidic phosphatase in glandular cells of uterine endometrium of puerperal ewes after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls

“…Zamiri et Blackshaw (1979) claim that alkaline phosphatase activity at the surface uterine glands of ewes gradually increased with peak values between day 14 and day 21 of the estral cycle. The proliferation process of endometrial structures of sheep and goats as observed by Krajni~áková et al, (1999Krajni~áková et al, ( , 2002 is consistent with the occurrence of alkaline phosphatase activity and connected with their role in transformation mechanisms and metabolic processes occurring in the postpartum uterus. Statistical significance compared to day 17, 25 and 34 days after parturition ** = P<0.01; *** = P<0.001 Significance of differences between the control and experimental groups during the observed days after parturition a : a = P>0.05 ; b : b = P< 0.001 No significant statistical difference was noted (P>0.05) when evaluating alkaline phosphatase activity in the glandular cells of the endometrium (Tab.…”

Seasonal variations in the morphometric analysis of the ovary and uterus and in progesterone and 17β-oestradiol production in the brown hare (<i>Lepus europaeus</i>)

“…Microscopic analysis of female reproductive organs is mainly reported in farm animals (Kliment and Zitny, 1989;Pivko, 1995;Krajnicakova et al, 1999). In comparison with rabbits, our morphometric analysis of the hare ovary shows a lower relative volume of growing follicles.…”

Factors affecting postpartum ovarian activity of goats in tropical semi-arid region

“…Greyling and Van Niekerk (1991) studied Boer goats, slaughtering them at different intervals between parturition and 34 days postpartum to observe all macroscopic uterine sizes, and reported that involution ended approximately 28 days after birth. Krajničáková et al (1999) reported this process ending on the 34 th day after parturition. These studies show that body size is important in determining the time the animal needs for the uterus to return to its initial size.…”

“…Among them, growth hormone (GH), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) are important mediators of the effect of the energy balance on follicular growth in bovines (57). Insulin and IGF-I act directly on follicle growth, stimulating folliculogenesis and steroid production by stimulating LH production in the theca cells (31). Oliveira et al (2013) reported a positive correlation between IGF-I levels and body condition score in cows.…”