Histology of the cervix of Santa Inês ewes submitted to the technique of insemination by cervical retraction

Abstract

This trial aimed to evaluate the technique of artificial insemination by cervical retraction (CRI) in the histological parameters of the cervix of Santa Inês sheep. Three pluriparous cyclical ewes were used, with four years old, live weight 54.30 ± 1.20 kg and body condition score 3.0, at slaughter. At the time of estrus, two ewes were subjected to the insemination technique by cervical retraction (CRI). Three different moments were considered for the slaughter of the ewes: “0h”, represented by the non-CRI ewe; “24h” and “72h” after CRI technique, slaughtering the two ewes at these respective times. The cervix were collected and prepared for histological evaluation. Histological sections showed tissue integrity at the time of estrus (0h, without CRI) and an intense inflammatory reaction 24 hours after CRI, with the presence of hemorrhage, edema and cell degeneration. However, it was observed that this inflammatory condition was attenuated, with tissue reorganization within 72 hours.