The goal of this study was to describe the anatomopathological and histochemical features of uterine tubes from 62 sexually mature sows, in both follicular and luteal phases. The animals were assigned into four groups as follows: the first (LSP) containing sows in the luteal phase without tube pathology (n=45), the second (LCP) with sows in the luteal phase with tube pathology (n=19), the third (FSP) with sows in the follicular phase without tube pathology (n=45) and the fourth (FCP) with sows in the follicular phase with tube pathology (n=15). PAS, Alcian Blue (pH 2.5 and 0.4), and Ninhidrina-Schiff stains were used for the histochemical study. Grossly, 34 uterine tubes presented morphological lesions. Wall cysts and squamous metaplasia were the changes found more frequently in both phases. Ampulla and infundibulum were the segments affected more frequently. In the follicular phase, the infundibulum had a higher secretion intensity of neutral mucosubstances, whereas the ampulla and the infundibulum had a higher secretion intensity of AB 2.5-positive mucosubstances. The ampulla had a higher intensity of sulphomucins and Ninhidrina-Schiff-positive secretions in the follicular phase. The morphologic changes did not correlate with reduction in secretion of mucosubstance in the adjacent areas of the uterine tube in both follicular and luteal phases. There was a reduction in secretion of neutral and acid mucosubstances in areas affected by squamous metaplasia and wall cysts.
sow; uterine tube; pathology; histochemistry; follicular phase; luteal phase
