Gross, histological and histochemical studies on the uterus of Kendrapada sheep (Ovis aries) at different age groups

The present study was conducted on uterus of 18 healthy female Kendrapada sheep from the Kendrapada district, Odisha minimum six each of three age groups viz. pre-pubertal (4-6 months), pubertal (8 to 10 months) and adult animals (11 months and above). After conducting gross studies, histological, micrometrical and histochemical observations were made from sections obtained from different parts of the uterus. Gross studies revealed that the uterus was a hollow, elongated, musculo-memberanous tubular organ. By means of the broad ligament (of uterus) it was attached dorso-laterally to the pelvic wall. The uterus was bicornuate and bipartite type. It was comprised of a pair of horns, body and the neck or cervix. Biometrical observations revealed that the left uterine horn was longer in the animal. The weight of the left uterine horn was more than the right one. Histological studies revealed that the wall of the uterus was comprised of four tunics such as tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis (myometrium) and tunica serosa (perimetrium). The tunica mucosa and submucosa are together known as endometrium. The uterus was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. In uterine horns, the mucosal folds lie in close apposition to each other as compared to uterine body. Numbers of endometrial glands were more in uterine body than uterine horn. The cervical glands were simple coiled tubular mucus type that were housed in the propria-submucosa of cervix. The tunica muscularis comprised of two layers namely inner circular and outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscles. Tunica serosa comprised of dense irregular fibrous connective tissue which contained loosely arranged collagen fibres lined by mesothelial lining having blood vessels and lymphatics. The micrometrical, histochemical and histoenzymatic studies of uterus revealed variable results pertaining to their functional status and genetic potential at pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal stages of Kendrapada sheep.