Gross and Histological Studies of the Uterus of Sahel Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

Sahel goats are regarded as important breeds of goats widely distributed in West Africa and are easily recognized through their reproductive performance and physical appearance. This study aimed to investigate the gross and histological characteristics of 35 uteri of female Sahel goats aged 24 - 42 months, weighing between 30kg - 40kg respectively. The procedure was carried out at the Large Animal Clinic, University of Maiduguri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, following a successful ovariohysterectomy of 35 does at postpartum (days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28). The uterus was then processed for morphological and histological studies at the postgraduate research laboratory, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri. The harvested uterus appeared as large hollow organ, pear-shaped and dark red in colour. The shape and conformation of placentomes differed on postpartum days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. The lumen was observed, showing the presence of dark fluid. Histologically, the luminal epithelium in the caruncular area of the endometrium appeared taller and more folded at postpartum days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28, consisting of simple columnar epithelium.  The stroma showed numerous glands that are more tortuous and elongated in shape, with numerous blood vessels and lymphocytes at postpartum days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. This study observed significant changes in the gross morphology and histological structure of the uterus throughout the postpartum period, including reductions in uterine size, epithelial remodeling, and alterations in glandular and muscular layers.