The objective of this study was to investigate morphological characteristics and functional roles of vaginal plug formation and release in female hibernating Korean greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korai) using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Vaginal plug formation begins by part of semen first jetted from cervical region and secretions of vaginal epithelium immediately after mating (at the end of August). These secretions are gradually solidified, accumulated, and moved toward the vaginal introitus while filling the vaginal lumen. This formation process continues through the copulation period and the hibernation period (from end of October to middle of March), maintaining vaginal plug throughout the next pregnancy period (from end of March to end of May). Finally, vaginal plug is discharged to the outside of vagina immediately before giving birth. Normal vaginal structures are taken from the nurturing period (from the beginning of June to the middle of August) and before mating period. Therefore, vaginal plug generated immediately after mating is important as a protective barrier to prevent re-mating with male. In addition, vaginal plug during pregnancy can protect fetus in the uterus from physical stimulation by preventing re-mating with male as a kind of defense mechanism to maintain healthy development of fetus in uterus.

中文翻译：

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雌性冬眠韩国大马蹄蝠的阴道栓形成和释放，Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korai (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) 在年度生殖周期中

本研究的目的是使用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜研究雌性冬眠韩国大马蹄蝠（Rhinolophus ferrumequinum korai）阴道栓形成和释放的形态特征和功能作用。阴道栓的形成开始于从宫颈区域喷出的部分精液和交配后立即（8 月底）阴道上皮的分泌物。这些分泌物在填充阴道腔的同时逐渐凝固、积累并移向阴道口。这种形成过程持续到交配期和冬眠期（10 月底至 3 月中旬），并在整个下一个妊娠期（3 月底至 5 月底）保持阴道栓塞。最后，阴道塞在分娩前立即排出阴道外。正常阴道结构取自培育期（从六月初到八月中旬）和交配期之前。因此，交配后立即产生的阴道塞作为防止与雄性重新交配的保护屏障很重要。此外，孕期阴道塞可以通过防止与男性再交作为一种防御机制来保护子宫内的胎儿免受物理刺激，以维持子宫内胎儿的健康发育。交配后立即产生的阴道塞作为防止与雄性重新交配的保护屏障很重要。此外，孕期阴道塞可以通过防止与男性再交作为一种防御机制来保护子宫内的胎儿免受物理刺激，以维持子宫内胎儿的健康发育。交配后立即产生的阴道塞作为防止与雄性重新交配的保护屏障很重要。此外，孕期阴道塞可以通过防止与男性再交作为一种防御机制来保护子宫内的胎儿免受物理刺激，以维持子宫内胎儿的健康发育。