HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE REPRODUCTIVE-ORGANS OF MANCHEGO EWESGRAZING ON LUCERNE

The effects of prolonged exposure to phyto-oestrogens (coumestrol) on the morphology of the reproductive organs of ewes were studied in 28 l ucerne-grazing animals, and compared with 28 control ewes given a stan dard coumestrol-free diet. The anatomical studies showed that 43% of t he ewes fed lucerne displayed macroscopic changes within the genital t ract, of which the uterine alterations were especially prominent. The microscopic examination of the test group ewes identified specific his topathological features of the uterus and cervix. A greater than norma l development of the cervical folds was observed, as well as cystic fo rmations of different sizes whose content was eosinophilic. In the res t of the uterus, more glandular activity was detected in the lucerne-g razing group than in the control ewes, although cystic formations were not seen.