Neovascularisation of the ovary post ligation of ovarian vessels in bitches

Abstract

A total of 6 adult bitches that had cycled at least three times and whelped at least twice were conditioned for 3 weeks prior to surgery and maintained for eight and a half months post surgery. Under general anaesthesia, a laparatomy was performed. Ligatures were placed proximal and distal to each ovarian vessel to completely occlude the vascular supplies to the ovaries. Thirty two weeks later, the ovaries were harvested for gross and laboratory evaluations. Pre, intra and post-surgical temperatures and haematological parameters (taken twice weekly) were within normal range, for all 6 bitches. Grossly, all harvested ovaries were insignificantly regressed except the ovary of bitch 1 and 4 which showed significant regression and degeneration. Histopathologically, there were diffused necrosis, dense fibrosis of the ovarian cortex and medulla, degeneration of primary and graafian follicles in the ovarian stroma as well as atretic follicles and degenerated corpus lutea for bitch 1 and 4. Bitches 2, 3, 5 and 6 had numerous normal primary and graafian follicles with congested blood vessels, fully developed ova in the ovarian stroma and developed corpus lutea indicative of vascular invasion of the ovarian stroma. The viable ovarian tissues noticed on histology were evidence of revascularization suggestive of newer invasion of blood vessels from the ovarian attachment from the retroperitoneal tissues and likely from the subcutaneous supplies. Consequently, it is not advisable to neuter a bitch by ligation of the ovarian vessels