Fig. 1

Photomicrograph of the sheep uterus during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. (A & B): Showing the endometrium with mucosal folds, caruncles, and narrow uterine lumen. (C): Showing the endometrium formed of lamina epithelialis (EP) of pseudostratified columnar epithelium with intraepithelial lymphocytes (arrowheads) and connective tissue lamina propria contained fibroblasts (F), collagen fibers (CF) and lymphocytes (arrow). (D): lamina propria contained many blood vessels (BV) and leucocytic infiltrations (L). (E): Showing many epithelial (EP) invaginations (arrowheads) which form the uterine glands (arrowhead). (F & G): Showing lamina propria with blood vessels (BV) and highly branched and highly coiled uterine glands (UG) which formed of columnar epithelium (Co) and surrounded by myoepithelial cells (arrow). (H): Showing intraepithelial lymphocytes (arrowheads) between the columnar cells (Co) of the uterine glands (UG), plasma cells (PC) and leucocytic infiltration (L) in lamina propria. (I): Showing well vascularized tunica vascularis with many branches of the uterine artery (A) in the outer most layer of inner circular myometrium (IC). Note the outer longitudinal (OL) muscle fibers of myometrium and perimetrium. Original magnification; A: X12.5, scale bar = 1 mm, B & I: X40, scale bar = 500 μm, C, D, G & H: X400, scale bar = 50 μm, E & F: X100, scale bar = 200 μm, haematoxylin and eosin stain