Histological changes in glands of uterine horn during different stages of pregnancy in goats

A study was conducted on 18 gravid uteri procured from healthy non-descript goats (Capra hircus). Each foetus was measured for its crown-rump length (CRL), weight and approximate age. These uteri were divided into three groups viz., early gestation period (0–50 days), mid gestation period (51–100 days) and late gestation period (101 days - full term). Each group consisted of 6 foeti. Small pieces of the gravid uterus were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed by routine paraffin embedding technique. During early gestation, the epithelium was simple columnar at neck segment, simple columnar to pseudo- stratified in the middle segment and simple cubodial to simple columnar in the basal segment of the gland. In mid gestation, the epithelium was simple columnar at neck segment, simple columnar to simple cubodial (mostly simple columnar) in middle segment and simple columnar in the basal segment. During late gestation, the epithelium of neck, middle and basal segments of uterine glands were simple columnar. The epithelial height, gland diameter and inner luminal diameter of uterine glands increased significantly (P<0.05) with advancement of pregnancy.