Changes in foetal fluid volume, weight of gravid uterus, and histology of the uterus and placenta in Sahel goats during different trimesters of pregnancy

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the pregnancy-related relationship in the foetal fluid volume, weight of the gravid uterus, and the histology of the uterus and placenta in Sahel goats. A total of 26 pregnant Sahel goats aged 18-24 months with singleton births were presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri Metropolitan abattoir were used for this study. At the time of slaughter, their reproductive histories were not known. The uteri were collected immediately after slaughter and transported in sterile containers to the Laboratory for processing. The foetal fluid volume (FFV) and weight of gravid uteri (WGU) were determined. CRL was used to estimate foetal age and classify them into different trimesters. Sections of the uterine caruncle and placenta were collected and processed for histology. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the WGU and FFV in the second and third trimesters compared to the first trimester. There was a strong correlation between WGU and FFV in the first trimester (r²=0.7201, p< 0.05). However, in the second semester, there was a strong and significant correlation (r²=0.8522, p< 0.05) between FFV and WGU; (r²=0.7454, p< 0.05); FFV and CRL and between WGU and CRL (r²=0.8578, p< 0.05). In the third trimester, there was a perfect correlation between CRL and FFV. There were notable histological changes in the uterine caruncles and placenta across the trimesters. The study shows that FFV and WGU can be used for estimating foetal age during the second trimester of pregnancy in the Sahel goat.