Histological changes in the cervix of the rabbit after coitus

The histology of the rabbit ectocervix was investigated by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy before and after insemination. The cervix became oedematous and heterophil polymorphs invaded the portio vaginalis within 30 min of mating or artificial insemination of whole semen, but not after insemination with sperm-free seminal plasma or mating with a vasectomized buck.