The Effect of Vitamin A Supplement on Vaginal Epithelium During Pregnancy and Post Partum in Ewes

This trail was carried out on (12) Awassi ewes in the animal farm of College of Veterinary Medicine, in Baghdad University, during the period from May to November2007, to study the cellular changes that occur in the vaginal epithelium during pregnancy and after birth. The animals were divided into two groups. The first group (treated group) gave (60.000) IU orally vitamin A once weekly. The second group left as control group. High mitotical figures have been observed in the vaginal smear of treated group. The size of the cells and the nuclei was significantly increased in the treated group, the affinity of the cytoplasm and nucleus for staining was elevated. No changes in keratinization and vacuolation intensity, whereas the presence of neutrophils in the treated group was obvious. These observations indicate the importance of vitamin A during pregnancy and pureperium to increase cell proliferation and cellular immunity