SEASONAL HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE VESTIBULE OF SHECAMELS

Mahmoud A. Emam1, Ihab M. El-Zoghby1 and Hatem H. Bakry2

Abstract

Twenty adult she-camels with ages ranging from 5 to 10 years were used to describe the histological changes in the vestibule during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. The vestibular epithelium and its keratin showed thicker thicknesses during the breeding season. During the breeding season the keratin layer showed strong PAS reaction and the superficial squamous cell layers showed negative PAS reaction, while during non-breeding season the keratin layer showed less PAS reaction and the superficial squamous cell layers showed more PAS reaction. In addition, the vestibular glands and their excretory ducts showed higher activity during the breeding season. These seasonal changes suggest that the vestibule of she-camel may be under the effect of hormonal changes during breeding and non-breeding seasons.

Key words

Vestibule, Histology, She-camel, Breeding season, Non-breeding season.