Morphological and Histological of Ovary in Domestic Iraqi Sheep Ovis aries

Present study were carried out on Twenty adult local sheep (ewes). The results were showed that the ovaries of adult sheep are small, oval to almond shaped. They are paired organs located on either side of the uterus within the broad ligament below the uterine (fallopian) tubes, the statistical analysis results revealed no significant differences at level P0.05 between each of the length and width of the ovaries left and right while the thicknesses showed a significant difference between the ovaries. . Histological structure consist of epithelium surface layer, tunica albuginea, connective tissue covering the entire ovary cortex beneath tunica albuginea, the cortex contains follicles in various stages of development (primordial follicles contain a single oocyte surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells most immature follicle found in the ovarian cortex, Primary follicle surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells, Secondary follicle, contain two or more layers of granulosa cells. Tertiary follicle (n) fluid filled follicle visible on surface of the ovary in most species. Typically have an antrum, which is a fluid filled cavity. , growing follicles, vesicular follicles and atretic follicles. The medulla has loose connective tissue and blood vessels.