Resumo

PEROZO, Eudomar et al. Arterial blood supply of ovaries in ewes and cows during estrous cycle. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2006, vol.16, n.5, pp.472-480. ISSN 0798-2259.

Differences in ovarian vascular anatomy have been associated to significant differences in physiologic responses of ovaries during estrous cycle in different species. The objective of this study was to describe on a comparative basis the ovarian arterial vascular pattern from 18 ewes and 10 cows in reproductive age, during the different stages of the estrous cycle. The above mentioned pattern was evaluated through simple dissection, tissue clarification, corrosion templates, optic microscopy, electron microscopy and arteriograms. Results showed that in ewes, two ovarian arteries entered into the ovarian vascular zone, forming a very contorted and complex arterial mesh (glomus). By contrast, in cows five o six, ovarian arteries entered into the ovaries, without forming mesh. This suggests that ewes might have a better blood supply to the ovary than cows. A network was observed originating from uterine and ovarian arteries on the surface of uterine vein in both species. Differences in ovarian blood supply were seen during the different stages of estrous cycle. In animals having corpora lutea at 7 days of the estrous cycle was noticed a well defined ovarian blood supply, whereas in animals at 14 (ewes) or 18 (cows) post-heat, having corpora lutea as well, ovarian arteries diminished in size and number

Palavras-chave : Vascular pattern; ovaries; cows; ewes; estrous cycle.