Light and Electron microscopic studies on the sperm host glands in Punjab white quail

Abstract

The present work was conducted on oviduct of 42 Punjab white quails to observe the histomorphochemical and ultrastructural details of sperm host glands. The tissue samples were collected from the uterovaginal and infundiomagnal junctions of the oviduct in 10% NBF and 2.5% glutaralehyde solutions and processed for histological and electronmicroscopic studies. Fresh tissue samples were collected for cryostat sectioning to demonstrate lipids. It was observed that the UVJ was lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with ciliated, non ciliated cells, goblet cells and basal cells. The sperm host glands extended into lamina propria of UVJ as oval, rounded and straight tubules. The proximal part of glandular neck was lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and distal part with non ciliated columnar cells. The ciliated cells showed cilia and microvilli on the apical surface in the neck region, whereas the non ciliated cells present in the distal part of SHG had oval or elongated nuclei in their basal part and were studded with some of the microvilli in their luminal surface. These glands were surrounded by some of the smooth muscle cells and nerve fibers. Histochemical studies revealed a moderate to strong reaction of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides and lipids whereas reaction for basic proteins was weak in the supranuclear part of SHG.