Histomorphogenic changes during uterine development of the Nigerian indigenous breed of dog: A post-natal study

Abstract

Demand for dog is on an increase because they are used as watchdog, hunting and its breeding serves as a source of income to both rural and  urban dwellers. As demand is increases, breeders often mate dogs at premature age thereby causing several complications from conception to  birth. This study was aimed at considering the post-natal development of the uterus from histomorphological aspects and to correlate features to  attainment of puberty. Hysterectomy was carried out to secure the uterus from Day 2, Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 20. This developmental  study attempted highlighting some silent microanatomical parameters, including the circular muscle, longitudinal muscle, myometrial glands,  blood vessels and epithelial features of the uterus in the Nigerian indigenous bitch. The inner circular muscle and the germinal epithelium were the  first microstructures to be observed on day 2 and week 4 of postnatal development respectively. Within these range of development, little or no  histological variations occurred. Simple columnar epithelium and longitudinal smooth muscle were seen on the twelfth week. The inner circular  muscle and outer longitudinal muscles made up the fundamental component of the smooth muscle. The significant of this study is to indicate  histological changes that takes place within the uterus and this finding show some corresponding relationship that exist between age and uterine  development, an indicator for determining puberty.