The relationships between vaginal collagen, plasma oestradiol and uterine prolapse in turkeys

Uterine and vaginal collagen content and plasma oestradiol concentration we re measured in traditional, male-line and prolapsed male-line turkeys to in vestigate the higher incidence of uterine prolapse in the male-line strain. The effect of exogenous oestradiol on vaginal collagen and plasma oestradi ol was also tested in the traditional and male-line strains. Vaginal collag en was significantly lower in the male-line compared to the traditional-lin e, while it was lowest in prolapsed male-line turkeys. Plasma oestradiol co ncentration was higher in the traditional-line than the male-line. No diffe rence in plasma oestradiol concentration was found between prolapsed and no n-prolapsed male-line turkeys. Administration of oestradiol for 7 days sign ificantly raised plasma oestradiol concentration but had no effect on vagin al collagen. Decreased vaginal collagen content was associated with uterine prolapse and may predispose the male-line strain to uterine prolapse. Ther e was no evidence from these results to support an involvement of oestradio l in uterine prolapse in male-line turkeys. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers Li mited.