Anatomy of Vasculature of Uterus and Ovaries in the Mare

Abstract

SUMMARY The vascular anatomy of uterus and ovaries was studied in 7 mares; blood vessels were injected with latex; and the reproductive tracts were fixed, bleached, dehydrated, and cleared. The uterus was supplied on each side by 3 arteries: uterine branch of vaginal artery, uterine artery, and uterine branch of ovarian artery. The uterine artery was the main artery. All 3 arteries formed prominent anastomoses with each other. The ovarian artery formed the small uterine branch and a very tortuous ovarian branch. The uterus was drained on each side through 3 veins corresponding to the 3 arteries, but with the cranial vein (uterine branch of ovarian vein) being the most prominent. The ovary was drained through several veins which formed the ovarian branch of the ovarian vein. The veins from the ovary and the cranial portion of the uterus formed an extensive utero-ovarian plexus of interconnecting veins. There were many similarities to the vascular anatomy of the uterus and ovaries of the ewe. However, the ovarian artery and the common vein which drained the ovary and much of the uterus (ovarian vein) were not in close apposition as these were in the ewe.