Scanning electron microscopic studies on uterus of sheep in follicular and luteal phases of estrous cycle

Abstract

The tissue samples'from body, horn and cervix of uterus of 5 sheep each during follicular and luteal phases were fixed in Karnovsky's fixative and processed for scanning electron microscopic study. The endometriun1 showed long ridges and folds. Endometrial surface of body was less folded as compared to the horns. The apical part of luminal epithelial cells of corpus uteri was flat and the cells often formed a pattern of hexagonal structure. The epithelium was composed of prociliated, ciliated and secretory cells. The body contained more ciliated cells than the horn of the uterus. Ciliated and prociliated cells were more in follicular phase as compa.red to the luteal phase. The secretory cells had microvillous processes and apical blebs. Cervix uteri had complex, deep, narrow folds with slTIall crypts, which were more complex near the internal os. It was also lined with ciliated and secretory cells. The internal os area contained more ciliated cells than the external os area. In the follicular phase the cervix had more of ciliated as compared to that of luteal phase.