Anatomical, histological, and histochemical alterations in portio vaginalis uteri with an evaluation of the vaginal artery vascularity during the luteal and early pregnant stages in domestic bufaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The portio-vaginalis uteri (PVU) and its mucus secretion have shown an essential role in conception. A signifcant endeavour to improve bufaloes’ reproductive efciency is the investigation of their basic reproductive pattern, which provides a reference for applications in breeding and pregnancy. The present study aimed to evaluate the anatomi‑ cal and histological alterations in PVU regarding to the vaginal artery (VA) hemodynamic at luteal and early pregnant stages in bufalos. Egyptian live bufaloes (n=16) and fresh genitals (n=25) of mature bufalo were used. Diferent luteal and early pregnant stages were macroscopically identifed with the shape and mucosal colouration with dis‑ charges of the PVU. Histological examination showed a signifcant diference in area % of alcian blue and periodic acid Schif positive granules which considered an indication for presence of acidic and neutral mucins respectively in the epithelial cells of PVU mucosa which increased in pregnant stage than in other luteal stages. VA assessment demonstrated an increase in luminal diameter and thickness of tunica muscularis in pregnant stage than other stages (P<0.05). Middle uterine (MUA) and VA arteries peak velocity point (PSV mm/sec) were elevated (P<0.05) in pregnant stage, with a marked reduction in both resistance and pulsatility indices (RI and PI), and ratio of systolic /diastolic (S/D). Positive correlation was detected between VA. PSV and, MUA. PSV (r=0.87), but a negative relation was detected with VA. S/D (r= -0.77), VA.PI (r= -0.89), VA. RI (r= -0.97), MUA. S/D (r= -0.94), MUA. PI (r= -0.85), and MUA. RI (r= -0.88). Doppler indices were negatively corrected with the VA. PSV (r= -0.68). It was concluded that there was a signifcant alterations in histological features of the cervical PVU at diferent physiological stages (luteal and early pregnant) in bufalos in relation to the MUA and VA hemodynamic pattern and that hypotheses can be established regard‑ ing the female cyclicity that afected by both arteries hemodynamics change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]