Gross anatomy of the female genital organs of the domestic donkey (Equus asinus Linné, 1758).

This research article discusses the anatomical features and structures of the female reproductive organs in domestic donkeys. Notable differences between the reproductive structures of donkeys and horses are also highlighted.

Anatomy of Female Reproductive Organs in Donkeys

• The article centers around a comprehensive anatomical examination of the female reproductive organs in donkeys. The study profiled aspects like the size, position, and structure of these organs.
• The researchers made use of standard gross anatomical and morphometric techniques for analyzing the reproductive organs in 10 adult donkeys who have not given birth, also known as maiden jennies.

Comparisons to Horse Anatomy

• Comparisons were made with data from horse anatomy available in existing literature. The study reveals that the female genital organs of donkeys appear to be relatively larger in proportion to their body mass as compared to horses.
• Significant differences were reported in the location of the ovaries, where donkeys’ ovaries are found slightly more forward (cranial) in the body as compared to that of mares (female horses).

Unique Features of Donkey Reproductive Anatomy

• In donkeys, the ovaries contain large follicles, with some reaching a diameter of up to 40mm.
• The mesosalpinx in donkeys, which is the part of the broad ligament of the uterus that stretches from the uterus to the ovary, is notably wider than that of horses, forming a sizeable bursa ovarica or ovarian bursa.
• The asinine ligamentum teres uteri, a round ligament of the uterus, has a very noticeable cranial end or “appendix”.
• There are tortuous, or twisted, mucosal folds in the wall of the cervical channel in jennies. This is a unique anatomical feature of donkeys.

Vascularization and Abnormalities

• It is noted that, similar to horses, the vascularization or blood supply to the female genital organs of donkeys is very similar.
• On examining one of the donkeys, researchers discovered a large mucosal fold splitting the cranial part of the vagina into a left and right compartment, a feature that is not typically seen.