Arterial vascularization of the uterine horns in pregnant cross breed cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

The arterial vascularization of the uterine horns in 24 pregnant cross breed cats were studied. In 20 animals, with gestation between 7 and 9 weeks, the abdominal aorta was injected with Neoprene latex 650 solution associated with bario sulphate 1004. The X-ray were taked and the animals were fixed in formaldehyde 10% aqueous solution and dissected to study the arterial distribution to paraplacentary and placentary zone. The Power Doppler Ecocardiografh was realized in 4 animals, in paraplacentary zones the vessels resistence rate is smaller than trought uterine artery. In all observations, the uterine artery is the principal vessel to vascularize the uterine horns, emitting 2 to 17 branches, with hight frequence 5 to 12 branches, that wich running to paraplacentary zone and/or placentary zone, forming the anastomotic arcade. There is not estatistical significative difference between branches number from each region individually, however the X-ray analyses showed a hight constrast concentration in regions of the placentary zone. The ovaric artery has participation in arterial vascularization to cranial extremity of the uterine horns, where it makes anastomosis with branches from uterine artery.