Ultrasonographic appearance and histopathological findings of the genital tract in healthy nulliparous female rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

AbstractFemale rabbits often exhibit reproductive tract disorders and accurate sonographic descriptions of the normal genital tract are lacking. The aims of our prospective, analytical, and reference interval study were to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the genital tract of healthy female rabbits, provide reference values, and compare ultrasonographic findings with histopathological samples. Twenty‐eight intact female rabbits presented for elective ovariohysterectomy were included. Ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, cervixes, and vagina were imaged by ultrasound to assess their size, shape, location, margination, echogenicity, and echotexture. The genital tract of 12 rabbits was sent for histopathology. Genitals were visible in all rabbits using the linear probe. The ovaries were oval‐shaped and hypoechoic with a variable pattern. The oviducts, uterine horns, and vagina appeared as tubular structures with a consistent distinct layering, and the cervix as two contiguous hypoechoic tubular structures with a variable layering. Incidental findings, including paraovarian cysts, mineralization foci, and luminal fluid were observed. The median values of the height of the left and right ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns, cervixes, and vagina were, respectively, equal to 3.52 3.37, 1.39, 1.39, 4.34, 4.36, 5.57, 5.15, and 2.40 mm. Significant correlations were observed among age, body condition score, and some of the measurements. Abnormalities of the reproductive tract were reported in 4 of 28 rabbits. This study supports the use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of the reproductive tract of healthy female rabbits and provides reference values for use in rabbits with genital disorders.