Surface Morphology of the Rabbit Uterus and Oviduct During Estrus

The surface profile of the mucosae of rabbit uteri and Fallopian tubes during estrus were examined under the scanning electron microscope. We found that the endometrium forms interconnecting circularly arranged pillows, short mounds and ledges. Straight, continuous, longitudinal folds do not occur. Ciliated cells are found abundantly in the cavum epithelium, occurring either singly or in small groups. The oviducal mucosa in the ampullary region forms tall, unbranching, longitudinally aligned folds. Secondary and tertiary folds are not found. A complicated system of low lying slanting, diagonal mucosal ledges forms between the tall longitudinal folds. They connect neighbouring longitudinal folds together.