The present study was undertaken to compare morphometric and glycohistochemical differences in the
epididymal duct of the donkey and the dromedary camel. Paraffin-embedded sections from the different
regions of the duct (caput, corpus and cauda) of both species were stained conventionally for general
histology and histomorphometry and also with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated lectins for
glycohistochemical mapping. Morphometric data (means ± SE) showed that the luminal diameter was
widest (1029.76 ± 15.04 m) in the donkey cauda and narrowest (179.80 ± 3.27 m) in the camel corpus.
The thickness of the peritubular muscle coat had the highest (74.32 ± 1.85 m) and the lowest
(24.32 ± 0.74 m) values in the donkey cauda and corpus respectively. The greatest (94.44 ± 2.08 m) and
the least (21.48 ± 0.66 m) values of epithelial height were reported respectively in the camel caput and
in the donkey cauda. The length of stereocilia of principal cells in the camel was greatest (21.88 ± 0.57 m)
and lowest (6.68 ± 0.28 m) in the caput and cauda. Binding sites for only six out of eight lectins could
be found. The distribution pattern of binding sites of different lectins showed significant variations in
both a species-specific and also region-specific manner. Distinct labeling was found in the Golgi zone,
apical cytoplasm and on stereocilia of principal cells in the camel (WGA and DBA) and donkey (DBA)
caput region, while other lectins exhibited variable reactivity in the other regions in both species. The
basal cells showed variable binding to most of the lectins, however, they displayed distinct binding to
WGA and PSA throughout the duct in camel and donkey respectively. In conclusion, both morphometric
and glycohistochemical findings displayed regional species-specific and potentially functional relevant
characteristics. |
