Abstract:
The aim of the current study was to investigate the pathologic conditions of the genital tract of ewes.
Reproductive tract of sheep (n = 501) were collected from 4 slaughterhouses in eastern Algeria (Ras el Oued ""Bordj Bou Arreridj"" Sétif, Constantine and El Khroub) over a period of 7 months. The gross examination of collected specimens was confirmed by histological examination. In total, 14.77% of tracts were pregnant and 25.14% exhibited abnormalities. The highest rates of abnormality were in the ovaries (19.9%), followed by the
uteri (5.4%). Predominant lesions in ovaries were paraovarian cysts (8.78%), cystic corpora lutea (5%) and ovarian adhesions (4.8%). Predominant uterine disorders were chronic endometritis (1%) and fetal maceration (0.8%). The most common lesions in the broad ligament and vagina were calcified and parasitic cysts (3.8%), especially those of Cysticercus tenuicollis. the abnormalities of the oviduct and the cervix were less common.
Genital tuberculosis were observed in the oviduct, uterus and the broad ligament (0.4%).The presence of hydatid cyst in the ovary and endometriosis cyst confirmed by histological examination, was exceptional in sheep. These results, suggest that lesions of the reproductive tract of ewes may represent a significant source of loss to the sheep industry in Algeria.
