Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1962

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Entomology-Zoology

Abstract

The cervix is a thick walled tube between the vagina and the uterus which serves as a passageway for sperm to enter and for the products of birth to be expelled. Several investigators have reported that realxin causes an observable and measureable cervical dilation. Whether this hormone, which has been assayed only in the pregnant female of both humans and animals, is the one which initiates and facilitates the birth process has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to make histological and histochemical comparisons of the effects of relaxin alone and in combination with the sensitizing agents, di-ethly stilbesterol and progesterone, on the cervix of the nongravid bovine. The results were then compared with normal, nonsensitized, nongravid bovine cervical tissue and with bovine cervical tissue following parturition. The mechanism for cervical dilatability is the elongation of the muscle cells and a change in form from a spindle shape with tapered ends to an elongate fibrous strand of uniform diameter. This change is accompanied by separating the cells as a result of inhibition of great amounts of fluid.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Veterinary obstetrics
Endocrinology

Description

Includes bibliographical references

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

51

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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