Genital tract histological and macroscopical observations of gilts culled for anestrus

Abstract

The reproductive tracts of 64 Landrace, Largo White or crossed (Ld x LW) gilts culled for anestrus, from three total confined herds, were examined. Histological examination of genital tract were carried out in 34 gilts. The mean age at slaughter was 343 ± 2.52 days and 85.9 per cent of the gilts had small ovaries that had never ovulated. Six gilts (9.4%) were classified as behaviorally anestruous with cyclical ovarian activity on the basis of the presence of corpora lutea. No inflammatory changes were found in macroscopic and histological examination. The incidence of ovarian and paraovarian cysts was 6.25 and 7.81 per cent respectivelly. Three cases of hidrometra, and one case of ovotestis were recorded. High percentage of the examined pieces showed low development, with lack of follicular activity typical of delayed puberty. The number and nature of other functional and anatomical disturbances recorded had no great significance in the anestrus occurrence that lead to the gilts culling.