Anatomical and Histological Characteristics of the Female Reproductive System in the Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica) in Jordan

Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella marica) is listed as a vulnerable species.Few studies exist on the anatomy and histology of its reproductive system.The purpose of this work is to fill this gap by providing comprehensive characterization of female reproductive anatomy and histology and establishing baseline data for various areas of the reproductive tract.The results showed that the ovary is composed of a simple squamous to cuboidal epithelium, forming the germinal epithelium, where follicles are arranged in the cortical region of the ovary.The oviduct is characterized by a simple columnar, highly folded epithelium with decreasing diameter as it reaches its end.Peripheral gland-like structures are seen along the extension of the oviduct epithelium, more often in the infundibulum than in the isthmus.The uterus is bicornuate, similar to the bovine uterus, but with a deep groove between the uterine horns reaching the cervix.Caruncles of the uterus are pigmented and found only in uterine horns, suggesting a cotyledonary placenta.The endometrium exhibits an abundance of coiled simple tubular glands in both the uterine horns and the uterine body.Three cervical folds in the cervix exhibit incomplete encirclement that lacks a fully formed ring structure, facilitating the introduction of semen catheters.The cervical epithelium is mainly composed of secretory cells.The structure of the reproductive tract in Arabian sand gazelle is similar to that of domestic ruminants, such as cows, sheep, and goats, and wild small ruminants, with few discernible variations.