Microanatomy to the Vagina Wall of Wistar Rat at Different Stages of Estrous Cycle

Student: Nihmotulahi Titilayo Ibraheem (Project, 2025)
Department of Anatomy
University of Ilorin, Kwara State

Abstract

The vagina plays a vital role in the female reproductive system and undergoes several histological changes influenced by hormonal variations throughout different life stages and reproductive cycles. This study aimed to examine the microanatomy of the vaginal wall of Wistar rats at different stages of the estrous cycle. A total of 20 female Wistar rats were used. They were randomly assigned into 4 groups with 5 rats per group, each representing different phases of the estrous cycle. The rats were not administered any drugs or extracts; they were maintained under standard laboratory conditions with access to feed and clean water only. The rats were humanely sacrificed, and vaginal tissues were harvested and processed using haematoxylin and eosin staining techniques. Histological examination revealed structural differences in the vaginal epithelium, connective tissue, and muscular layers corresponding to the stages of development and hormonal fluctuations during the estrous cycle. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of vaginal tissue morphology in response to physiological changes across different stages of the estrous cycle.

Keywords
microanatomy vagina wistar different stages estrous cycle
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