Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Also available in print.

O desenvolvimento da técnica de transferência embrionária no oviduto mediante videolaparoscopia e a avaliação de produtividade da punção folicular laparoscópica (LOPU) associada à transferência embrionária laparoscópica e/ou por laparotomia videoassistida, ambas no oviduto, foram os objetivos do presente trabalho. Foram utilizados 53 animais, sendo as punções foliculares para obtenção dos oócitos realizadas em 9 ovelhas adultas estimuladas hormonalmente, chamadas doadoras. Os oócitos foram obtidos através de LOPU repetidamente com intervalo mínimo de um mês entre os procedimentos nas mesmas doadoras. Os oócitos puncionados foram maturados, fertilizados e mantidos em cultivo por até três. Os embriões clivados foram transferidos no segundo dia após a fertilização in vitro (FIV) em ovelhas receptoras com cio sincronizado. A transferência dos embriões (TE) foi realizada primeiramente em 10 receptoras por laparoscopia e em 34 receptoras por laparotomia videoassistida, sendo esta última dividida em duas etapas cronológicas. Para a realização da TE por videolaparoscopia, foi introduzido, inicialmente, um trocarte de 5 mm na linha média ventral próximo à glândula mamária para passagem da óptica. Um segundo portal, crânio-lateral ao primeiro, foi criado para introdução de pinça de manipulação de ovário. Confirmada a existência de corpo lúteo (CL) em um dos ovários, um trocarte foi inserido no lado oposto a esse para passagem de cateter de Foley. Sua função foi auxiliar na exposição e abertura da fímbria. Um cateter urinário, contendo os embriões foi então introduzido na porção inicial do oviduto para deposição dos mesmos. Obteve-se 8 fetos resultantes da transferência por laparoscopia (10 receptoras), 10 fetos resultantes da primeira etapa da transferência por laparotomia (14 receptoras) e 30 fetos resultantes da segunda etapa da laparotomia (20 receptoras). A média de fetos por sessão de LOPU foi de 1 para transferência laparoscópica, 1,3 na primeira etapa da transferência por laparotomia e 3,3 na segunda etapa de laparotomia. A transferência embrionária videolaparoscópica de embriões clivados no oviduto mostrou resultado positivo na produção de fetos, podendo ser considerada técnica promissora. Quando associada à LOPU, a transferência embrionária no oviduto por laparoscopia / laparotomia videoassistida, apresentou resultados superiores aos relatados na literatura com a transferência intra-uterina de embriões FIV. / The development of the technique of embryo transfer in oviduct through video-assisted laparoscopy and the demonstration of productive association between laparoscopic follicle aspiration (LOPU) and embryonic transfer laparoscopy and / or open surgery (video-assisted laparotomy)both in oviduct was the goal of the work. From the 53 animals used in the study, follicular puncture was used to obtain oocytes from 9 adult ewes for super-ovulated with hormonally stimulation, referred to as the donors. The oocytes were obtained through repeated LOPU with minimum intervals of one month from the same donor. The retrieved oocytes were matured, fertilized with frozen semen and cultured in vitro for up to two days after IVF. The cleaved embryos were transferred on the second day after IVF into synchronized receptor ewes. The transfer of embryos was first done in 10 receptors through laparoscopy and then in 34 receptors through video-assisted laparotomy, the latter being divided into two chronological stages. For the development of ET by video-assisted laparoscopy, a 5mm trocar was initially introduced ventral midline near the mammary gland for passage of the laparoscope. A second portal, in a craniolateral position was used for passage of another 5 mm trocar for introduction of forceps to manipulate the ovary. After confirming the existence of CL in one of the ovaries, a trocar was inserted on the opposite side for passage of the Foley catheter, to assist in the exposure and opening of the fimbria. A urinary catheter, containing the embryo, was then introduced into the initial portion of the oviduct for deposition of the embryos. There were 8 fetuses resulting from the transfer by laparoscopy (10 receptors), 10 fetuses resulting from the first stage of the transfer by laparotomy (14 receptors) and 30 fetuses resulting from the second stage of the laparotomy (20 receptors). The average number of fetuses per session of LOPU was 1 for laparoscopic transfer, 1.3 for the first stage of the transfer by laparotomy and 3.3 in the second stage of laparotomy. The technique of embryo transfer through video-assisted laparoscopy with cleaved embryos in oviduct was thus shown to a positive fetus\'s result of production, and will be promising. When associated with LOPU, the transfer of embryos in oviduct by laparoscopy / video-assisted laparotomy presented better results then other authors when compare intrauterine IVF embryo transfer.

Numerous studies have indicated that the microgravity environment of space has harmful effects on several tissues throughout the body. Although this phenomenon is well documented, research in this area is still in its relative infancy. This study investigates the effects of space flight on mucin production of the uterine tubes of mice. This study examined the epithelium of the uterine tubes from female mice that were flown on the space shuttle Endeavour for 13 days in August, 2007 and their concomitant controls. The tissue was qualitatively analyzed for the type of mucin produced, i.e.; acidic, neutral, acidic/neutral mixture. Further, the tissue was quantitatively analyzed for the amounts of mucins produced by measuring the thickness of the mucin layer for each region of the uterine tube: isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. One way ANOVA tests were used to compare mucin thickness between all three sets of animals. Results indicate similar but not identical results between the three regions of the uterine tube. The Baseline tissue had the thickest mucin layer regardless of treatment group. In the ampulla the mucin layer was the thinnest in the Flight tissue, followed by the Ground Control, with the Baseline being the thickest. Analysis of the mucin layer of the infundibulum of the three treatment groups indicated no difference in its thickness between the three regions of the uterine tube. These results indicate a trend toward thinning of the mucin layer of the uterine tube in space flight, but also indicate an influence by the housing environment.

Numerous studies have indicated that the microgravity environment of space has harmful effects on several tissues throughout the body. Although this phenomenon is well documented, research in this area is still in its relative infancy. This study investigates the effects of space flight on mucin production of the uterine tubes of mice. This study examined the epithelium of the uterine tubes from female mice that were flown on the space shuttle Endeavour for 13 days in August, 2007 and their concomitant controls. The tissue was qualitatively analyzed for the type of mucin produced, i.e.; acidic, neutral, acidic/neutral mixture. Further, the tissue was quantitatively analyzed for the amounts of mucins produced by measuring the thickness of the mucin layer for each region of the uterine tube: isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. One way ANOVA tests were used to compare mucin thickness between all three sets of animals. Results indicate similar but not identical results between the three regions of the uterine tube. The Baseline tissue had the thickest mucin layer regardless of treatment group. In the ampulla the mucin layer was the thinnest in the Flight tissue, followed by the Ground Control, with the Baseline being the thickest. Analysis of the mucin layer of the infundibulum of the three treatment groups indicated no difference in its thickness between the three regions of the uterine tube. These results indicate a trend toward thinning of the mucin layer of the uterine tube in space flight, but also indicate an influence by the housing environment.

Infertility among women has become a growing issue in the world requiring a significant number of women to seek treatment by means of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). One suggested reason for the fertility issue is modern diet, leading to diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes. In this study, twenty gilts three weeks in age, were placed on one of five dietary treatments (n=4 gilts per treatment) containing 15% fat (FAT), 35% fructose (FRU), both fat and fructose (HFHF), or two different controls: one standard industry (IND) diet meant to result in optimal lean growth and a second diet to account for the reduced lysine (LYS) intake in the treatment diets. Two experiments were performed to assess the reproductive outcomes of pre-pubertal gilts consuming a high fat and/or high fructose diet and to demonstrate interactions between diet and infertility using pigs as a model. In the first experiment, follicular fluid was collected from these gilts and introduced into porcine in vitro maturation system to determine whether characteristics of the follicular fluid affect oocyte competence and embryo development. The follicular fluid of females consuming high fructose and fat diets did not alter nuclear maturation of oocytes (p>0.10). There were, however, detrimental effects on subsequent development of embryos, especially blastocyst formation, with the gilts having consumed the HFHF diet having reduced day 5 and 6 blastocysts formation when compared to the IVM follicular fluid free (FFF) group (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively). In regards to embryo quality, blastocysts from the FAT group had greater cell number when compared to all other groups. In the second experiment, the reproductive tissues; ovary, oviduct, and uterus were analyzed for genes of interest: estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), estrogen receptor beta (ESR2), insulin like growth factor I (IGFI), insulin like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR), and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9). Resulting data was analyzed in three ways: 1) across all 5 treatments, 2) with gilts grouped by whether or not they consumed fat, or 3) with gilts grouped by whether or not they consumed fructose. There were no differences detected between individual treatments for ESR1 and ESR2. In the ovary samples, the fructose diets decreases ESR2 (p=0.05). Also, GDF9 ovarian expression tended to decrease with fructose consumption (p=0.07). Furthermore in the ovary, there was a positive correlation between ESR2 and GDF9 expression (r=0.92 and p<0.01). GDF9 expression was lower in the oviducts of gilts consuming fat diets when compared to non-fat diets (p=0.01). Neither IGFI nor IGFIR were altered in the reproductive tissues analyzed. Based on the results from both experiments, the consumption of fat and fructose alters both the developing embryo and gene expression in the reproductive tissues that support the growing embryo. Further investigation will provide more insight on the impact nutrition has on pre-pubertal reproductive development and subsequent fertility. / Master of Science

Algumas serpentes necessitam obrigatoriamente estocar espermatozoides nos ovidutos para que os oócitos sejam fecundados, isso porque nessas espécies o período de cópula é distinto do período de ovulação. Em geral essa estocagem ocorre em receptáculos de estocagem encontrados na região infundibular. Em Crotalíneos a estocagem tem sido descrita como ocorrendo na região caudal dos ovidutos (junção útero-vaginal) em uma estrutura chamada de Uterine Muscular Twisting (UMT). Essa estrutura tem sido descrita como um twisting que se forma após a cópula e permanece presente até o momento da ovulação. Aqui demonstramos que a UMT não é formado por uma torção (twist) do oviduto e sim por uma helicoide formada pelas camadas internas da junção útero-vaginal. A UMT está presente em fêmeas ao longo de todo o ano, e não somente no período pós-cópula. Nós observamos que a UMT tem diferentes graus de formação, podendo ser forte, fraca ou ausente. A UMT forte é encontrada no periodo reprodutivo da fêmea (outono e inverno austrais) e está presente independentemente de haver espermatozoides nessa região. A UMT fraca é encontrada em todas as fêmeas maduras fora do período reprodutivo. Já a ausencia de UMT é encontrada nas fêmeas prenhes e nas imaturas. Nossos resultados mostram que a UMT é formada mesmo em fêmeas ovariectomizadas com níveis basais de estradiol e que a progesterona é responsável pelo relaxamento da musculatura lisa do oviduto tornando a UMT ausente nas fêmeas / Some snakes need must store sperm in the oviduct so that the oocytes are fertilized, that because these species the mating period is distinct from ovulation period. Usually this occurs in receptacles found in the infundibular region. In pitvipers the storage has been described as occurring in the caudal region of oviduct (uterus-vaginal junction) in a structure named Uterine Muscular Twisting (UMT). This structure has been described as a twisting formed after mating and remains present until the time of ovulation. Here we demonstrate that the UMT is not formed by a twist (rotation around its own axis) of the oviduct but by a helicoid formed by the inner layers of the uterus-vaginal junction. The UMT is present in females throughout the whole year, not only in the post-copulation period. We note that the UMT has different degrees of shaping, can be strong, weak or absent. Strong UMT is found in the female reproductive period (austral autumn and winter) and is present regardless of whether sperm cells in this region. Weak UMT is found in all mature females outside the breeding season. Already the absence of UMT is found in pregnant females and the immature ones. Our results show that the UMT is formed even in ovariectomized with basal levels of estradiol and progesterone is responsible for relaxation of smooth muscle of the oviduct making UMT absent in females

Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever as características anatômicas, macroscópicas e microscópicas, dos órgãos reprodutores femininos da ema (Rhea americana). O material consistiu nos órgãos reprodutores femininos (ovário, oviduto e cloaca) de 24 fêmeas, das quais, 04 filhotes (15 dias) e 20 adultos (12 e 36 meses), oriundas da Cooperativa Emas do Brasil LTDA. Os órgãos foram fixados em formol 10% tamponado e em glutaraldeído 2,5%, PBS 0,1 M, pH 7,4, para microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura, respectivamente. Os resultados mostram que o ovário esquerdo ocupa a porção dorsal da cavidade celomática, em contato com a porção cranial do rim e com a glândula suprarenal, sendo sustentado na cavidade pelo mesovário. Na superfície livre do ovário observam-se folículos em diversas fases de desenvolvimento, variando de 1 a 90 mm e atrésicos com 27,6 &plusmn; 3 mm de diâmetro (n=10), unidos à superfície ovariana por um pedúnculo folicular e apresentam uma cinta esbranquiçada contornando sua superfície, o estigma folicular. Histologicamente o ovário é constituído de uma medula e um córtex e a parede dos folículos pelas tecas externa e interna, extrato granuloso e zona radiada. O oviduto possuiu comprimento médio de 1,22 &plusmn; 0,23m (n=4) e foi composto pelo infundíbulo, magno, istmo, útero e vagina, revestidos por epitélio colunar ciliado com células secretoras recobrindo as pregas luminais. O infundíbulo apresentou uma abertura cranial com fímbrias delgadas e longas. No magno estas pregas são mais espessas e volumosas, preenchidas por glândulas tubulares, representando a maior porção do oviduto. O istmo curto apresentou pregas menos volumosas e com menor quantidade de glândulas tubulares. O útero pregueado em forma de bolsa, teve uma região cranial com pregas delgadas e uma outra caudal com pregas mais ramificadas e com poucas glândulas. A vagina apresentou pregas luminais longas e espessamento da muscular, formando o músculo esfíncter vaginal. O ovário e o oviduto da ema possuem características comuns à morfologia das aves domésticas. A cloaca teve os mesmos compartimentos que outras aves, diferenciando-se pela presença da prega entre o reto e o coprodeu, permitindo separação das fezes da urina / The aim of this work was to describe the morphological characteristics of the feminine reproductive organs of rhea (Rhea americana). The material consisted of ovary, oviduct and cloaca from 24 females, 04 young chick (15 days) and 20 adult ones (12 to 36 months), from Cooperativa Emas do Brasil LTDA. Fragments of each organ were fixed in phormaldehyde 10% and glutaraldehyde 2.5%, 0.1 PBS M, pH 7.4, for light and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Results demonstrated that left ovary occupied the dorsal portion of the celomatic cavity in contact with the cranial portion of the kidney and with the suprarenal gland, being supported in the cavity for the mesovary. On the free surface of the ovary, follicles in different phases of development were observed measuring between 1 to 90 mm and atresic, measuring 27.6 &plusmn; 3 mm of diameter (n=10), linked to the ovarian surface by one follicular stalk and presents a white band surrounding its surface, the stigma folliculare. Histologically, the ovary is constituted by the medulla and the cortex, and the follicular wall by the theca externa and theca interna, stratum granulosum and the zona radiata. The oviduct possess average length of 1.20 &plusmn; 0.23m (n=4) and was composed by infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina, covered by a ciliated columnar epithelium on luminal folds. The infundibulum presents a cranial opening with long and thin fimbriae. The magnum represent the bigger part of oviduct and have a increased thickness of the mucosa with big folds, composed by tubular glands and with a pseudostratifed ciliated epithelium. The isthmus is short with small luminal folds and less tubular glands. The uterus was folded with global form, it had a cranial region with thin folds and a caudal part with folds branched and a few tubular glands. The vagina had long luminal folds and the muscular layer was thicker forming the musculus sphincter vaginae. The ovary and oviduct of the rhea possessed similar characteristics to the one from domestic birds. The cloaca had the same compartments cited in other birds, with the fold between coprodeu and rectum, which make the feces and urine separation, as difference

O desenvolvimento embrionário tem inicio a partir da fecundação do oócito pelo espermatozóide no interior do oviduto. O oviduto é um órgão tortuoso que mede de 20 a 30cm e está dividido em três porções: istmo, ampola e infundíbulo. Os hormônios influenciam a atividade das células-alvo pela ligação de moléculas receptoras especificas. A imuno-histoquímica é o conjunto de procedimentos que utiliza anticorpos como reagentes específicos para detecção de antígenos presentes em células ou tecidos, portanto, através desta técnica é possível verificar a presença de receptores hormonais em determinados órgãos. Este estudo teve como objetivo localizar a presença de receptores para o hormônio luteinizante (LH) nas diferentes porções do oviduto utilizando a técnica de imuno-histoquímica. Foram utilizadas 18 éguas que se encontravam em estro, ou seja, apresentavam um folículo maior que 35mm e trato reprodutivo condizente com a fase estrogênica do ciclo estral. Das 18 éguas utilizadas neste trabalho, 16 éguas (88,8 %) apresentaram receptores para hormônio luteinizante (RLH) no oviduto. Destas 16 éguas, 8 (44,4 %) apresentaram RLH no epitélio e 7 (38,8 %) apresentaram RLH no tecido muscular do istmo, 14 (77,7 %) apresentaram RLH no epitélio e 13 (72,2 %) no tecido muscular da ampola, 10 (55.5 %) apresentaram RLH no epitélio e 1 (5,5 %) no tecido muscular do infundíbulo. Nas éguas que apresentaram receptores no epitélio a intensidade verificada foi de 1,5; 2,5 e 2,6 no istmo, ampola e infundíbulo, respectivamente enquanto que na porção muscular foi de 1,14; 2,3 e 3 respectivamente, para cada uma das três porções estudadas. Foi verificada uma maior intensidade de receptores na ampola do oviduto, o que pode relacionar o LH no processo de fecundação do oócito pelo o espermatozóide. / Embryonic development begins with the fertilization of the egg by the sperm in the oviduct. The oviduct is a tortuous organ which extended measures 20 to 30cm and is divided into three parts: the isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum. Hormones influence the activity of target cells by binding to specific receptor molecules. Immunohistochemistry is the set of procedures that use antibodies as reagents for detection of specific antigens present in cells or tissues, therefore, using this technique it is possible to verify the presence of hormone receptors in certain organs. This study aimed to verify the presence of hormone receptors for luteinizing hormone (LH) in different portions of the oviduct using the technique of immunohistochemistry. We used 18 mares were in estrus that had a follicle greater than 35mm and reproductive tract consistent with the estrogen phase of the estrous cycle. From the 18 mares that were part of that study, 16 mares (88.8 %) had receptors for luteinizing hormone (RLH) in the oviduct. From these 16 mares, 8 (44.4 %) had RLH in the epithelium and 7 (38.8 %) had RLH in the muscle of the isthmus, 14 (77.7 %) had RLH epithelium and 13 (72.2 %) in the muscle of the ampulla, 10 (55.5 %) had RLH in the epithelium m and 1 (5.5 %) in the muscle of the infundibulum. In mares that had receptors in the epithelium the intensity verified was 1,5 ; 2,5 and 2,6 on the isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum, respectively while in the muscular portion was 1,14 ; 2,3 and 3 respectively, for each of the three portions studied. It was verified a greater intensity of receptors in the ampulla of the oviduct, which may relate the LH in the process of fertilization of the oocyte by the sperm.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2018-10-23T18:30:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Enely Maris da Silveira Firmiano.pdf: 6302423 bytes, checksum: d767e55220a0e40f0b8ee86826ca1a3e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-23T18:30:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Enely Maris da Silveira Firmiano.pdf: 6302423 bytes, checksum: d767e55220a0e40f0b8ee86826ca1a3e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-18 / CAPES / Phrynops geoffroanus is a freshwater turtle popularly known as Geoffroy's toadhead turtle or Geoffroy's side-necked turtle. Like other species of the Testudines order, it is oviparous, meaning the females lay their eggs in the environment. The objectives of this article are to describe the morphology of the oviduct of P. geoffroanus as observed through light microscopy after performing standard histochemical techniques (AB pH 2.5, PAS, Mallory?s trichrome, xylidine Ponceau), besides identifying the endocrine cells in the various regions of the oviduct that produce motilin, serotonin and somatostatin through immunohistochemistry. The oviduct of this turtle is composed of five regions: the infundibulum, which receives the oocyte released at the moment of oocytation; the tube uterine (magnum), the spiraled region that produces the albumen; the isthmus, a transition region; the uterus, responsible for producing the egg shell; and the vagina, the final portion of the oviduct, which leads to the cloaca. The structure of the oviduct of P. geoffroanus is similar to that of other oviparous reptile species. Its description can be used for phylogenetic morphological comparisons. The immunohistochemistry study revealed the absence of neuroendocrine cells that produce motilin, serotonin and somatostatin in all regions of the oviduct. However, the existence of these cells in the gut of this turtle was verified, enabling the suggestion that the regulatory peptides produced by these cells are carried by the bloodstream and reach specific receptors on target cells located along the oviduct, to regulate the peristaltic movements of this organ. / Phrynops geoffronus ? uma esp?cie de r?ptil representante da ordem dos Testudines, popularmente conhecida como c?gado-de-barbichas ou c?gado-de-barbelas. Como os demais representantes desta ordem, ? uma esp?cie ov?para, ou seja, as f?meas colocam ovos no ambiente durante a reprodu??o. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram a descri??o histol?gica do oviduto das f?meas de P. geoffroanus com aux?lio da microscopia de luz, ap?s ser submetido ?s t?cnicas histol?gicas e histoqu?micas (AB pH 2,5, PAS, Tricr?mico de Mallory, Xylidine Ponceau), al?m de procurar identificar c?lulas end?crinas produtoras de motilina, serotonina e somatostatina atrav?s da imuno-histoqu?mica, ao longo dos diversos segmentos do oviduto. O oviduto deste c?gado ? composto por cinco diferentes regi?es: infund?bulo, que recebe o ov?cito liberado no momento da ovocita??o; a tuba uterina (magno), regi?o espiralada produtora do alb?men; o istmo, uma regi?o de transi??o; o ?tero, respons?vel pela produ??o da casca do ovo, e a vagina, por??o final do oviduto que leva ? cloaca. A estrutura do oviduto de P. geoffroanus ? semelhante ? de outras esp?cies de r?pteis ov?paros e pode ser utilizada para compara??es morfol?gicas filogen?ticas. O estudo imuno-histoqu?mico revelou aus?ncia de c?lulas neuroend?crinas produtoras de motilina, serotonina e somatostatina em todas as regi?es do oviduto da esp?cie estudada. Entretanto, a exist?ncia dessas c?lulas foi verificada no intestino deste c?gado (teste-controle), tornando poss?vel sugerir que provavelmente os pept?deos regulat?rios produzidos por tais c?lulas, sejam transportados pela corrente sangu?nea e atinjam receptores espec?ficos em c?lulas-alvo localizadas ao longo do oviduto para atuarem na regula??o dos movimentos perist?lticos deste ?rg?o.

Resumo: Nesta pesquisa foram realizadas a histologia e morfometria de ovários, ovidutos e úteros de cadelas. Foram utilizados 15 animais distribuídos em grupos (G) de acordo com as idades em anos, G1 (1 até 3), G2 (maiores de 3 até 5) e G3 (maiores de 5 até 7). Após a realização da ovariosalpingo-histerectomia, ovários, fragmentos de tubas uterinas e útero foram fixados e processados rotineiramente para a inclusão em parafina. As amostras foram coradas pela técnica da Hematoxilina-eosina. Os parâmetros morfométricos analisados foram: diâmetros máximo e mínimo (æm), perímetro (æm), área (æmø), fator de forma do citoplasma e núcleo dos oócitos dos diferentes tipos de folículos e espessura das camadas salpíngicas e uterinas. Os procedimentos estatísticos utilizados foram ANOVA e o teste Tukey (5%). Houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos experimentais para os parâmetros do citoplasma e núcleo de oócitos foliculares e para a espessura das camadas salpíngicas e uterinas. Concluiu-se que de acordo com os resultados desta pesquisa a maturação in vitro, obtém melhores desempenhos na utilização de oócitos de folículos primordiais nas fêmeas correspondentes ao G3 e para oócitos inclusos em folículos secundários e terciários, as do G2; as diferenças nas espessuras das camadas uterinas podem ser uma das explicações para o desenvolvimento diferenciado dos fetos em fêmeas caninas; os valores obtidos neste estudo servirão como subsídios para a biotecnologia da reprodução, diagnóstico e prognóstico de enfermidades que acometem esta espécie. / Abstract: The objectives of this work were the histologyc and morphometric study of ovaries, oviducts and uterus of canines females. There were 15 animals distributed in groups involved according to their age, Group 1 (G1), Group 2 (G2) and Group 3 (G3). To the histological analysis after the accomplishment of the ovariehisterectomy, the ovaries, fragments of oviducts and uterus were fixed and processed routinely for inclusion in paraffin. The samples were stained by haematoxilyn-eosin technique. The morphometric parameters studied were: maximum and minimum diameters (æm), perimeter (æm), area (æm2), roundness factor of nucleus and cytoplasm of oocytes of different kinds of follicles and thickness of oviduct and uterine layers. The statistical procedures used were ANOVA and Tukey's test. There was significantly difference in oocytes of follicles: primordials in the cytoplasm for maximum and minimum diameters, perimeter and area between the G1 and G3, unilaminar primary in the cytoplasm for roundness factor between the G1 and G2, secondary in the nucleus for maximum and minimum diameters, perimeter and area between the G1 and G2 and G2 and G3, tertiary in the nucleus for minimum diameter, perimeter and area between the G1 and G2 and G2 and G3. In the oviduct there was significantly difference in: the infundibulum for mucosa between the G2 and G3, and the serose between the G1 and G3, the ampulla for mucosa and serose between the G1 and G2, the isthmus for serose between the G1 and G2 and G1 and G3. In the uterus there was significantly difference in: the segment 1 of myometrium between the G1 and G3 and G2 and G3, the segment 2 of miometrium between the G1 and G2 and G1 and G3. It concludes that this study will serve as subsidy for the biotechnology of the reproduction, the diagnosis and prognostic of diseases that impaired this specie. / Orientador: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente / Coorientador: Maria Rita Pacheco / Banca: Ivo Walter dos Santos / Banca: Marion Burkhardt de Koivisto / Mestre