Ibrahim Garba^1*, Philip Makama Dawuda¹, Iyorhemba Utim Ate¹, Jerry Ngutor Abenga^2
1Department of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Makurdi, Nigeria.
DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2019.93003   PDF    HTML   XML   667 Downloads   1,992 Views   Citations

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim to record pathological conditions of the female genital tract of Red Sokoto (RS) and West African Dwarf (WAD) does with the objective of comparing the prevalence of genital tract pathology between the two breeds. Of the 211 (RS) and 221 (WAD) genital tract collected and examined, 104 (49.3%) of RS and 97 (43.3%) of WAD showed different types of pathological conditions. Highest occurrence of pathological conditions found in RS was in the uterus (38.4%), followed by those in the ovary (30.8%), cervix (6.6%), salpinx (6.2%) and vagina (1.4%) while in WAD, pathological conditions were highest in the uterus (28.1%), and followed by ovary (26.8%), salpinx (5.0%), cervix (2.2%) and vagina (0.5%). In RS and WAD does, respectively, endometritis (11.9% and 7.1%) was the most common pathology followed by ovaro-bursal adhesion (10.4% and 5.4%), inactive ovaries (4.3% and 4.9%), cystic Graffian follicles (4.2% and 2.2%), paraovarian cyst (3.3% and 3.1%), uterine haemorrhage (3.8% and 2.7%), and ovarian hypoplasia (2.4% and 4.5%). Other pathological conditions found in RS and WAD does include cervical lesions: cervicitis (2.8% and 1.8%), haemorrhage (3.2% and 0.5%); uterine lesions: hydrometra (1.9% and 1.3%), pyometra (2.8% and 1.8%), mucometra (2.8% and 3.6%), metritis (2.4% and 1.3%), post parturient metritis (2.8% and 1.8%), caruncular atrophy (1.4% and 0.5%), endometrial hyperplasia (1.0% and 1.8%), melanosis (1.9% and 1.8%), post parturient emphysematous metritis (1.4% and 2.2%), perimetritis (1.4% and 2.2%), uterine congestion (1.9% and 2.2%), oedema (1.0% and 0.5%) and Cysticercus tenuicolis cyst (0.5% and 0.5%); esophageal lesions: salpingitis (1.9% and 3.1%), hydrosalpinx (1.0% and 0.5%), tubo-bursal cyst (3.3% and 0.9%), ovarian lesions: cystic corpora lutea (2.8% and 1.8%), oophoritis (0.5% and 1.8%), and Cysticercus tenuicolis cyst (1.0% and 0.9%). Hyperaemia (0.5%) and calcification of cervical caudal rugae (0.5%) occurred in RS only. Genital lesions were not statistically different (P > 0.05) between RS and WAD does. In the two breeds, the 13 - 24 months age group had high prevalence of genital lesions. The current study has shown that endometritis and ovaro-bursal adhesions are the common female genital tract pathological conditions in Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf does. The high prevalence of female genital tract abnormalities may suggest that genital diseases are of serious limitation to goat production in Makurdi.

Keywords

Female Genital Tract, Prevalence, Morphopathology, Red Sokoto Doe, West African Dwarf Doe

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1. Introduction

Goat keeping has assumed a key position in the rural development programmes of the developing countries especially Nigeria. This is because they contribute meat, milk, fibre, manure etc. that are useful to rural and semi-urban life. Small ruminants make up the bulk of the population of animals in Nigeria [1] and constitute about 63.9% of the total grazing domestic livestock [2] [3] . The 2011 National Agricultural Sample Survey indicated Nigeria has an estimated 72.5 million goats and 41.3 million sheep [4] .

The demand for animal protein has been on the increase in Nigeria because of the increase in population over the years which have resulted into increased importation of meat and milk products to supplement the local shortfalls [5] . The average daily animal protein consumption per head in Nigeria was put at 15 g/day [6] with a further decline to 9.0 g/day [2] which is far less than the WHO recommendation of 35 g/day. Regular and successful reproduction is the key to profitable goat production. This entails early attainment of sexual maturity and raising of two crops of kids per year with a twinning rate of 10% - 30% during a doe’s reproductive life [7] [8] . This target may not be attained due to reproductive problems among female goats.

Genital tract abnormalities play an important role in animal production either by causing sub-fertility, infertility or sterility, longer inter-kidding interval, and increased expense on medication in farm resulting in huge economic loss to the livestock owners [9] [10] [11] . These disorders can be caused by congenital or hereditary, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors [9] [12] .

The occurrence of genital pathologies has been reported to cause reproductive disturbances ranging from 1.9% to 23.32% in female goats [9] [11] [13] [14] [15] . The prevalence of genital pathologies has also been reported to increase with age in female goats [9] [16] and between breeds in cows [17] .

Although reports on genital disorders in goats are scanty as compared to cattle and ewes, the information on the prevalence of female genital abnormalities may suggest the role of genital diseases in the limitation to goat production in order to improve their reproductive performance and proffer solutions. However, there is a paucity of information on the prevalence, causes and nature of pathological conditions of the genitalia of female goats especially the Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf does. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate abattoir specimens for the prevalence and types of genital tract morphopathologies in female goats.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Location

The study was carried out at the pathology laboratory of the veterinary teaching hospital annex, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Makurdi is located on the east central part of Nigeria on longitude 8˚35''E and latitude 7˚44''N and has a radius of 16 km. The climate is tropical and the vegetation is predominantly guinea savannah with an annual rainfall of 1090 mm. The area is defined by two seasons: the rainy season lasting from April to October and the dry season lasting from November to March with an average relative humidity of 26.3% to 71.3% throughout the year. The atmospheric temperature ranges from 27.38˚C to 34.09˚C [18] .

2.2. Sample Size

Sample size was determined by using the formula of [19] at 95% confidence level and prevalence rate of 15.14% as reported by [9] in Maradi Goats, Ibadan, Nigeria. Therefore, at least 200 non-pregnant genital tracts from Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf does, respectively, were collected.

2.3. Source of Genital Organs

Does genital organs sampled for the study were collected after the Halal slaughter procedure from Wurukum and international cattle market abattoirs, respectively, Makurdi, Benue State. Ethical approval for the research was obtained from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), vom.

2.4. Sample Collection and Handling of Genital Organs of Does

Samples were collected each for at least three days per week from March to September, 2016. Non-pregnant genitalia were used for the study. Age estimation was based on eruption and erosion of pair of incisor teeth pairs as described by [20] . The animals were grouped into four age groups of 6 to 12, 13 to 24, 25 to 36 and >36 months respectively. Prevalence of genital abnormalities of the two breed and age groups of RS and WAD were recorded. The genital organs of does were collected after evisceration and placed into ice packed well labeled sterile containers then taken to the pathology laboratory, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Annex, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi for examination.

2.5. Gross Examination of Genital Organs of RS and WAD Does

Systematic examination of the doe genital organs was carried out as described by [21] . Evaluation was done by visual appraisal, palpation and incision. Lesions were examined and described by their size, consistency, colour, shape, smell or location as described by [22] and the malformation of the different parts of the genital tracts were also observed and recorded. Each reproductive tract was opened by cutting with a pair of sterilized scissors, starting from the vulva, into the vagina through the cervix and uterine body, into each horn, oviduct and finally the ovaries.

Syringe and needle was used to aspirate fluid/pus into a graduated cylinder to measure the volume (ml). Size, diameter and length of the abnormalities were measured using a meter rule (mm). Follicles and corpus luteum > 12 mm were considered cystic [23] .

2.6. Preparation of Tissue Samples for Histological Examination

The paraffin wax method described by [24] was used for processing tissue for histological examination. Representative samples were preserved in 10% formalin and processed after proper fixation to make paraffin embedded blocks in Spin tissue processor (STP), 120 Thermoscientific® at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State. Tissues were sectioned using a rotary microtome (MICROM HM340E) ThermoScientific® set at 4 micromes, picked onto slides and stained using H&E stain method described by [25] . The processed slides were examined by light microscopy at various magnifications (×4, ×10 and ×40). Pathological conditions in various parts of female genital tract were categorized based on characteristic gross as well histopathological features.

2.7. Data Analysis

Descriptive statistics were used to represent the data generated. Chi-square was used to compare association between the prevalence of lesion and breed. Odd ratio was determined to test the correlation between age and lesions.

Prevalence of abnormalities expressed in percentage was determined using the relationship:

$\text{Prevalence rate}\left(\%\right)=\frac{\text{Number of does affected}}{\text{Total number of does}}\times 100$

All data analysis was subjected to Graphpad Prism Statistical Software version 7.03 [26] . P-value was considered significant at P < 0.05.

3. Results

The prevalence of doe genital lesions of 104 (49.3%) in Red Sokoto (RS) breed was higher as compared to 97 (43.3%) prevalence in West African dwarf (WAD) breed (Table 1). There was no association between breed and prevalence of genital lesions.

Genital tract abnormalities with regard to age are shown in Table 2. The prevalence of genital lesions among age groups was found in the 13 - 24 months old in both breeds but higher in RS (25.6%) as compared to that in WAD (17.0%). There was no correlation in age and prevalence of genital lesions between RS and WAD does.

A total of 435 genital tracts of slaughtered does collected from the abattoir were examined of which 176 (83.4%) of RS and 139 (62.0%) of WAD exhibited various types of pathological conditions (Table 3). The pathological conditions were sometimes found as multiple lesions involving various parts of the same genital tract. The prevalence of pathological conditions found on the different parts of the genital tract samples collected were found to be highest in the uterus (38.4%) and (28.1%), followed by the ovary (30.8%) and (26.8%), cervix (6.6%) and (2.2%), oviduct (6.2%) and (5.0%) and vagina (1.4%) and (0.5%) in RS and WAD does, respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the occurrence of pathologies on the different parts of the genital tracts examined between RS and WAD does, respectively.

The uterus exhibited the highest prevalence of diversity and frequency of lesions in both RS and WAD, however, the occurrence of uterine lesions was higher in RS (38.4%) as compared to that of WAD (28.1%). Various pathological conditions recorded in the uterus on the basis of gross and microscopic lesion are presented in Table 4. Endometritis had the highest occurrence among different lesions of the uterus viz: 25 (24%) cases in RS does with prevalence rate of 11.9% and 16 (16.5%) cases in WAD does with a prevalence rate of 7.2% (Table 4). Based on microscopic examination, endometritis in RS and WAD were classifies as chronic (Figure 1) (12.5% and 10.3%), acute (7.7% and 6.2%) and granulomatous endometritis (Figure 2) (3.9% and 0.0%) (Table 4). Hydrometra (Plate 3) (3.9% and 3.1%), pyometra (Figure 3, Figure 4) (5.8% and 4.1%), uterine hemorrhages (7.7%, and 6.2%), mucometra (5.8% and 8.3%), post parturient metritis (5.8% and 4.1%), metritis (4.8% and 3.1%), uterine melanosis (Figure 5) (3.9% and 2.1%) and uterine congestions (3.9% and 5.2%) were frequently noticed in RS and WAD, respectively. Other uterine lesions found

RS (P = 0.8131, χ2 = 0.9508) and WAD (P = 0.3066, χ2 = 3.612). No significant difference (P > 0.05) between breed and prevalence of genital lesion. Figures with same superscript are not significantly different.

RS breed (P = 0.9252, χ2 = 0.471, odd ratio < 1) and WAD breed (P = 0.3066, χ2 = 3.612, odd ratio < 1). No statistical correlation in age and prevalence of genital lesions between RS and WAD does.

No significant difference (P > 0.05) in the occurrence of pathologies on the different parts of the genital tracts between RS and WAD, respectively and for the two breeds.

include: endometrial hyperplasia (Figure 6), uterine oedema, post-paturient emphysematous metrtitis (Figure 7), perimetritis and Cysticercus tenuicollis cyst (Figure 8) were also found.

The prevalence of lesions in the ovary was higher in the RS does (30.6%) as compared to WAD does (26.8%) are shown in Table 5. The occurrence of

No significant difference (P > 0.05) in uterine lesions between RS and WAD.

ovarian lesions was 62.5% and 61.9% of RS does and WAD does, respectively. However, ovaro-bursal adhesion was the common pathological conditions of the ovary and was higher in RS does (21.2%) as compared to WAD does (12.4%). Bilateral bursal adhesions (Figure 9) to the ovary and the oviduct occurred in 10 (9.6%) and 8 (8.3%) cases of RS and WAD does, respectively. However, the right ovary 11 (10.6%) was the most affected in the RS does. Cystic Graffian follicles

No significant difference (P > 0.05) in left and right ovarian lesions between RS and WAD does, respectively. No significant difference (P > 0.05) between left and right ovarian lesions across RS and WAD does.

(Figure 10) included follicular and luteal cysts were found. Follicular cyst occurred in 7(6.7%) and 5 (5.2%) of RS and WAD does, respectively, while luteal cyst 2 (1.9%) was found in RS only. They occurred as single cysts of about 12 mm to 15 mm in diameter and were unilateral. Seven follicular cyst (5-left sided

and 2-right sided) in RS and five unilateral (2-left sided and 3-right sided) were found. Two cases of right-sided luteal cyst occurred. Follicular cysts were either yellowish or milky white in colour with a transparent wall containing clear fluid which pits on pressure. The cystic follicular walls were thinner and made of degenerative granulosa cells and a partially luteinised thecal cell layer. In cross section, the luteal cysts walls were about thick with meaty like consistency. There was fibrous connective tissue encapsulation around the luteal body, proliferation of connective tissue in the ovarian cortex and multi-layers of lutein granulosa cells with area of vacuolization. One case of cystic follicles was found in association with tubo-bursal cyst in RS of 13 - 24 months old age group. The > 36 months old age group was the most affected.

Paraovarian cysts (Figure 11) (1.6%) each of RS and WAD does. They were unilateral (1-left sided and 6-right sided) in RS while in WAD (3-left sided and 4-right sided). The right ovary is the most affected. Inactive ovaries (8.7% and 11.2%) were recorded in RS and WAD does, respectively (Table 5). Eleven cases were bilateral in both RS and WAD while nine cases were unilateral (1-left sided and 3-right sided in RS while 4-left sided and 1-right sided in WAD). The ovaries were devoid of mature follicles (<4 mm) in diameter and/or corpora lutea and its degenerative stages or hypoplasia in some cases.

Ovarian hypoplasia (Figure 12(a)) was found in 5 (4.8%) and 10 (10.3%) of RS and WAD does, respectively, (Table 5). The prevalence was higher in WAD (4.5%) than in RS (2.5%). One bilateral and two unilateral case in RS while in WAD four are bilateral and six unilateral (4-right sided and 2-left sided) were observed. The ovaries appeared “V”, “C” and bean-shaped with no visible follicles or corpus luteum on the ovaries (Figure 12(a), Figure 12(b)). Histology revealed fibrosis around the oocytes with distortion of zona pellucida. Granulosa theca cells and the tunica albuginea were thickened and the ovarian cortex was reduced in thickness and contained some atretic follicles (Figure 12(d)).

Other ovarian lesions found in RS and WAD include: Cysticercus tenuicolis cyst (Figure 13) (0.5%), Cystic corpora lutea (5.8% and 4.1%), each and Oophoritis (1.0% and 4.1%). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in lesions found on left and right ovary between RS and WAD does, respectively.

The prevalence rate of salpingitis in RS (1.9%) does was lower as compared to WAD (3.1%) does (Table 6). Hydrosalpinx (Figure 14) prevalence rate of 1.0% in RS does and 0.5% in WAD does were recorded (Table 6). Bilateral salpingitis was more common than unilateral (left or right) and occurred more in the RS (3.0%) as compared to that in WAD (2.1%) while unilateral hydrosalpinx was more common and occurred more in RS does (1.0%) each of left and right and only on the left salpinx in WAD doe (1.0%) (Table 6). Tubo-bursal cysts (Figure 15) occurred in 7 (6.7%) of RS and were higher than 2 (2.1%) of WAD does (Table 6). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in lesions found on the left and right salpinx between RS and WAD does, respectively, and between left and right salpingeal lesions in RS and WAD does.

Cervicitis was higher in RS does (2.8%) as compared to WAD does (1.8%) (Table 7). They were characterized by cervical mucosa hyperaemia and lined by thin serosanguinous exudates. Necrosis and sloughing of the mucosal epithelium in few cases and diffuse mucosal infiltration by lymphocytes were observed.

Haemorrhagic necrotising cervicitis (Table 7). The external cervical opening was dilated and hemorrhagic (Figure 16(a)). Necrosis of the cervical wall and diffuse infiltration by lymphocytes and few macrophages were observed microscopically (Figure 16(b)). Other cervical lesions include: haemorrhage (3.2% and 0.5% in RS and WAD, respectively), and calcification of caudal cervical rugae (0.5%) (Figure 17). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in cervical lesions between RS and WAD does.

The prevalence of vaginal hyperaemia was 0.5% each of RS and WAD does and vaginal haemorrhage occurred in 1.0% of RS and none occurred in WAD

No significant difference (P > 0.05) in left and right salpingeal lesions between RS and WAD does, respectively.

Nosignificant difference (P > 0.05) of cervical lesions between RS and WAD does.

(Table 8). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in vaginal lesions between RS and WAD does.

4. Discussion

Results of the present study show that the occurrence of female genital lesions in the two breeds of 49.3% and 43.3%, respectively, were high compared to the findings of [11] [13] [22] , in Indian goats [15] , in Nigeria and [19] in Uganda, who reported prevalence of 1.9% to 23.32% of female genital disorders in goats, respectively. Although no statistical difference (P > 0.05) in the occurrence of genital pathologies between RS and WAD in the present study, the high prevalence may have been due to breed difference and environmental effect.

The prevalence of genital lesions was highest in the 13 - 24 months age group in RS and WAD breeds, respectively, in the present study. This could mean that

No significant difference (P > 0.05) in vaginal lesions between RS and WAD does.

age is an important intrinsic factor that contributes to the distribution of reproductive abnormalities. This agrees with findings of [15] and [16] who reported that susceptibility to reproductive disease increases with age. Thus, the high occurrence of genital tract pathology in this age group may have been due to their active reproductive age. This is in line with the report of [27] and [28] . Hence, this age group is more prone to different pathological changes of the genital tracts. However, there was no statistical correlation in age and lesions between RS and WAD in this study.

Pathological conditions of the uterus of RS (38.4%) and WAD (25.6%) were lower than earlier reports of 53.24%, 41.34% and 70% by [11] [14] and [29] in Iranian and India does, respectively, but higher than that reported [15] of 14.6% goats.

Previous studies show that endometritis occurred as the most common pathological condition in caprine uterus collected from local abattoirs [30] [31] . The prevalence in RS (11.9%) and WAD (7.2%), however, are higher than the report of 3.9% [15] , 4% [14] [31] [32] [33] , 4.46% [30] , 5.8% [34] and 5.6% [11] in goats but lower than the reports of 24.76% [29] and 13.7% [35] in ewes. The cause could be due to unhygienic management practices or ascending infections, though not life-threatening, it may cause embryonic loss by disruption of uterine tissue or by direct cytolysis of embryo [36] [37] [38] [39] .

Chronic endometritis in this study was higher than reports of 3.8% [11] , 3.9% [15] , and 0.9% [40] in goats. Chronic endometritis is usually associated with varying degrees of infertility depending on the extent of endometrial damage. Acute endometritis with prevalence of 3.8% and 2.7% of RS and WAD does, respectively, in this studies was higher than similar reports of 1.36% [11] and 2.0% [15] in goats and 0.5% [41] and 0.45% [42] in ewes.

Uterine haemorrhage was reported in 30 out of 1200 (2.5%) goats [15] , which was much lower than current findings. Although the high figures in this study may have been due to sample size. Average occurrence of hydrometra in Brazilian and Dutch dairy goats was reported to be 10.4% and 9% [43] [44] [45] , respectively. These finding were much higher than 1.9% (RS) and 1.3% (WAD) in the present study. Ithas been observed that difference in breeds of goats does nothave any influence on hydrometra incidence [46] . Hydrometra have been shown to cause infertility by interfering with embryo attachment to the endometrium as a result of glandular changes thereby impeding the success of pregnancy [47] [48] .

Occurrence of pyometra in this study was consistent with other reports in ewes, does and cattle [17] [29] [32] [42] [49] [50] [51] . Other studies reported lower findings of 0.4%, 0.1% [9] [41] [52] , respectively, in ewes and does. However, the prevalence of 81.8% [53] in goats, 8.0%, 100%, and 7.1% [53] [54] [55] , respectively, in ewes, were higher than figures obtained in this study. Pyometra may ensue when sufficient damage to endometrium occur, thereby preventing PGF_2α production to lyse corpus luteum with persistent production of progesterone causing closure of the cervix and making the uterus more susceptible to infection and prohibits pregnancy success [55] [56] [57] . Poor reproductive management (postpartum care, unhygienic environment) and genital infections predisposed by postpartum complications (dystocia, abortion, retained fetal membranes, coitus and a prolonged luteal phase) have been reported to cause pyometra [9] [50] [58] .

Salpingitis (1.9%) and (3.1%) in RS and WAD, respectively, in this study were higher than previous reports in goat of 0.45%, 0.8%, 0.3% and 0.57% [15] [34] [49] [59] , respectively, but lower than the report of 3.7% [9] . It has been commonly associated with secondary or nonspecific infections ascending from the uterus [60] . Bilateral hydosalpinx causes sterility but unilateral hydroslpinx and mild salpingitis have been reported to cause varying degrees of infertility in goats since the sloughed or degenerated epithelium is unable to support ovum survival [9] [36] [60] . Hydrosalpinx, like hydrometra, can lead to infertility and subfertility, since intraluminal fluid interferes with embryo attachment [48] .

Most of the ovaro-bursal adhesions in this study occurred unilaterally (right-sided)in association with inflammatory conditions of uterus, ovary and salpinx and the figures obtained in RS (10.4%) and WAD (5.4%) were higher compared to3.7%, 0.45%, 1.9% and 2.99% [9] [11] [15] [61] in goats, respectively. The result of this study is consistent with 6.36% [52] reported in ewes. [15] reported that chronic pelvic inflammatory reaction sequential to previous abortions or post-partum complications seems to be the cause of ovaro-bursal adhesions. The incidence was more prevalent in the RS compared to WAD does. Ovaro-bursal and tubo-bursal adhesions can cause infertility by interfering with ovulation and/or the passage of ova into the oviduct [9] [61] [62] [63] .

The prevalence of cystic Graffian follicle in RS (4.3%) and WAD (2.2%) in this study were lower than reports of 1.2%, 0.9% and 0.41% [9] [11] [61] in does, respectively, 1.14% and 0.6% [41] [64] in ewes, respectively and 1.88% [59] in cows but consistent with finding of 4.3% [65] in ewes. One case of follicular cyst was found in association with tubo-bursal cyst which agrees with similar finding in goat [9] . Cystic ovarian disease is idiopathic; insufficient releases of luteinising hormone, heredity, phosphorous deficiency and oestrogenic pastures have been implicated as the cause [66] [67] [68] .

[55] and [61] reported 1.0% and 0.55% of ovarian hypoplasia in ewes and does, respectively, which were lower than the 2.4% in RS does and 4.5% in WAD in this study. Ovarian hypoplasia in this study was characterized by the incomplete development or ovarian dysgenesis and ovary lacking in primordial follicles. The cause could not be established in this study but like many other ovarian abnormalities, it can cause anestrous.

The prevalence Cysticercus tenuicolis cysts of 1.5% in RS and 1.4% in WAD in this study were higher than previous reports of 0.1% [9] . They were found on the uterine body and attached to the ovarian pole and occurred bilateraly and unilateral in this study. This agrees with previous report by [23] . Cysticercus tenuicolis cysts and paraovarian cysts can impair fertility if exerting pressure on the oviduct [23] [69] .

Cervicitis usually occurs with an overshadowing endometritis or vaginitis [59] [68] , trauma (during kidding), cervical infection or unhygienic management practices in kidding pens are possible causes [3] [9] . The prevalence in this study of 2.8% (RS) and 1.8% (WAD) were higher than other documented findings of 1.4% and 0.7% [9] [39] [42] , respectively, in Iraqi ewes. However, [11] reported a higher prevalence of 6.4% than the figures obtained in this study.

The abnormalities of the vagina in this study could be due to vaginal trauma e.g. during kidding, natural breeding [3] , extension of utero-cervical hemorrhages [11] orinfections [70] .

5. Conclusion

The prevalence of genital tract pathology is higher in the RS (49.3%) as compared to WAD (43.3%) breeds but is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The two breeds suffer from genital pathologies which were predominated by the uterus, followed by those in the ovary, cervix, salpinx and vagina. Endometritis is the most common pathological lesion found followed by ovaro-bursal adhesions. Genital tract pathologies occur more in the 13 - 24 months old group which is the most active reproductive age. The genital pathologies found may cause varying degrees and potential infertility or sterility in does. The findings of this study will give a window to investigation of genital disorders on the farm and seasonal variation incidences to ascertain their possible impact on the reproductive performance of does.

Acknowledgements

The assistance and cooperation rendered by the abattoir workers during sample collection for this study is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are thankful to the Directors, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) and National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, for providing necessary facilities for this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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