Histomorphological postnatal developmental study of the ovaries of the local rabbits (oryctologus cuniculus)

This investigation was carried out to point out structural histomorphological changes that take place in the ovaries of female local rabbits at three different postnatal periods of their life that were kitten, immature and mature does. To conduct such project, 24 rabbits were collected (8 for each age) from the local breeders. Rabbits were euthanized, dissected and subsequently ovaries were collected and fixed with 10% neutral buffered formalin then subjected to routine processing such as dehydration, clearing, embedding and block preparation. Finally, sections of 6 μm were prepared and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome stains. Gross findings showed two functional bilateral elongated triangular-shaped ovaries situated in the abdominal cavity suspended by mesovarian ligament with absence of true ovarian bursa. Microscopic findings revealed prominent structural changes in the ovaries of immature does compared to those of kittens and mature does indicated that immature does after the period of weaning face great developmental growth and changes. The data showed the presence of pre-ovulatory follicles in the mature does and no signs of ovulation because these animals are induced ovulators and that does subjected to the study were all virgin and not allowed for mating with the males