GROSS AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON OVARY, OVIDUCT AND UTERUS IN INDIAN DOMESTIC CAT (Felis catus)
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Date
2023-03
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
The female reproductive system in the Indian cats was composed of the paired
ovaries, paired oviducts and the single uterus. The ovaries were located in the lumbar
region and were suspended by the mesovarium and were enclosed in ovarian bursa. The
oviducts of cats were convoluted and tortuous slender tubes suspended by mesosalpinx.
Each oviduct was composed of three parts viz., the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus.
The uterus of the cat was āVā shaped with paired uterine horn and the single uterine
body. The entire uterus was suspended by two ligaments, the broad ligament and the
round ligament in the pelvic cavity.
Microscopically, the ovaries consisted of surface epithelium, fibrous tunica
albuginea and the ovarian parenchyma (cortex and medulla). The cortex was peripheral
with many developing follicles. The primordial follicles had a primary oocyte
surrounded by simple squamous epithelium and were in clusters. At some places,
multiple oocytes surrounded by a common single layer of squamous epithelium formed
giant primordial follicles. The primary follicles were composed of a primary oocyte
surrounded by simple cuboidal epithelium while the secondary follicles had
comparatively larger oocyte surrounded by 2 to 3 layers of polyhedral granulosa cells
and zona pellucida surrounding it.
The tertiary follicles showed an antrum, large eccentric oocyte surrounded by
zona pellucida, stratified layer of granulosa cells (all together called as cumulus
oophorous oocyte complex) and theca interna and externa. The atretic follicles showed
degenerated cells and fibrous scar. Corpora lutea had large luteal cells, small luteal cells
and non-steroidogenic cells. Corpora albicans were irregular connective tissue scars.
The ovarian medulla had loose connective tissue with blood vessels, lymphatics and
nerves.
Oviduct in domestic cats was composed of three parts i.e., the infundibulum,
the ampulla and the isthmus. The wall of oviduct was comprised of Tunica mucosa,
Tunica submucosa, Tunica muscularis and Tunica serosa. The T. mucosa of all the
segments were thrown into many folds and these folds were divided into primary and
secondary folds. The lamina epithelialis had simple cuboidal/columnar epithelium at
many places while it showed pseudostratified columnar epithelium in infundibulum.
The propria submucosa was made of loose connective tissue. The tunica muscularis
was composed of smooth muscle fibers arranged mainly in circular orientation. Tunica
serosa was composed of a connective tissue layer which was lined by mesothelium.
Uterus in Indian cat under present study had 2 parts viz., the uterine horn and
the uterine body. Both the horn and body of the uterus were composed of three layers
viz., the endometrium, the myometrium and the perimetrium from lumen to outer side.
Endometrium was divided into functional and basal zones. The myometrium was
composed of an inner circular layer, an outer longitudinal layer and in between them,
the stratum vasculare was also observed. The perimetrium was composed of loose
connective tissue.
During proestrus, multiple subepithelial haemorrhages and epithelial
sloughing were noticed. During pregnancy, the endometrial glands were larger and
more in number. The stratum vasculare was largest and blood vessels were more in
diameter.
The germinal epithelium, tunica albuginea of the ovary showed mixed reaction
for Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue. The zona pellucida showed strong
positive reaction for PAS. The apical portions of the lining epithelium in oviduct
showed strong positive reaction for alcianophilic substance. The propria
submucosa showed strong positive reaction for PAS. The endometrial epithelium
showed PAS positive reaction with few alcianophilic cells. The connective tissue of
functional zone showed PAS positive reaction. The muscle bundles of tunica
muscularis showed intermittent PAS positive reaction while the connective tissue
present between muscles was AB positive. The perimetrium showed positive reaction
for PAS.