Abstract

CESPEDES, Raquel et al. Arterial and Venous Supply of the Uterus and Ovaries in the Bitch (Canis familiaris) and Its Relationship with Ovarian Activity. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2006, vol.16, n.4, pp.315-324. ISSN 0798-2259.

Estrous cycles of nine bitches were monitored using vaginal cytology in order to describe the anatomical characteristics of the arterial and venous vascularization of the uterus and ovaries during the estrous cycle, using radiographic, tissue clarification and tissue maceration techniques. The ovaries were monitored using ultrasonography. The results indicated that the uterus of the bitch is mainly irrigated by the ovarian, uterine and vaginal arteries, which establish ipsilateral anastomoses among them and contralateral anastomoses between the uterine and vaginal arteries. However, ovaries are mainly irrigated by the ovarian and uterine arteries, which establish ipsilateral anastomoses between them and contralateral anastomoses between the uterine and vaginal arteries. These results suggest the need for advanced research using labeled hormones to explain the mechanism of luteolysis in this specie.

Keywords : Bitch; blood supply; uterus; ovary; ultrasound; estrous cycle.