Histomorphological and Histochemical Postnatal Developmental Study of the Pelvic Reproductive Organs in Female Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)

This project was carried out to find out the structural histomorphological changes that take place in the pelvic parts (vagina and vestibule) of the female reproductive system of the rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) at three different postnatal periods of their life that were kitten, immature and mature does. To conduct such project, twenty four female rabbits were bought (8 for each age) from the local breeders. Rabbits were euthanized, dissected and subsequently vaginae and vestibules were collected and fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin then subjected to routine processing, such as dehydration, clearing, embedding and block preparation. Finally, sectioning for 6 µm were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome stains. Gross findings revealed that the vagina and vestibule in the local rabbits were characteristically very long tube-like structures. The vagina entirely was running ventral to the rectum together with vestibule in the pelvic cavity. Microscopic findings revealed prominent structural changes in the vagina of immature does compared to those of kittens and mature does indicated that immature does after the period of weaning face great developmental growth and changes. The microscopic changes in the vestibule were slight alterations and no age related changes were recorded. Statistical analysis revealed that the total thickness of the mucosa plus muscularis of the vaginal wall was decreased significantly in the direction cranio –caudally.In conclusion, the current study recorded differences in both macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the vagina and vestibule of the local rabbits compared to other animal species.