Abstract
Assessment of cervical dilatation was performed in nine female camels during the peri-parturient period, by using an electric endoscope. The I,reparatory phase of cervical dilatation was characterised by a copious liquefaction of the cervical seal with dilatation of the external cervical os but the cervical canal was stilt closed. These signs appeared when the camel was restless with pronounced relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and tumefied teats. The duration of this phase was 23.8 +/- 13.9 hours. During the early active phase of cervical dilatation, intrinsic responsive dilatation of the cervical canal with no foetal parts or foetal membranes through it were observed. This phase appeared during the first stage of labour with a duration of 2.0 +/- 0.6 hours. Complete cervical dilatation occurred during the late active phase of cervical dilatation which coincided with the second stage of labour, with a duration of 0.6 +/- 0.2 hours. A slow cervical narrowing, the early constriction phase with a duration of 1.4 +/- 0.6 hours, was observed after the delivery of the calf, but before the expulsion of the afterbirth. A rapid cervical narrowing, the late constriction phase, occurred directly after the expulsion of the afterbirth. However, complete cervical healing was delayed to 388.8 +/- 43.2 hours afterbirth.