Histology and Histomorphology of Hormone Treated Surati Buffalo Udder Tissue

Abstract

In the global dairy scenario, India has the distinction of being the largest milk producing nation of the total milk production of 100.9 million tons in 2006-2007, about 55.6% has been contributed by buffalo. Buffalo is a more efficient milk producer than an indigenous cow. The present study was carried out to study the morphological changes associated with induced lactation in buffalo mammary gland tissue. Lactation was induced in four non-pregnant, non-lactating buffaloes by subcutaneous injections of estradiol-17β and progesterone for 10 d (@ 0.10 and 0.25 mg kg^-1 b. w./d) respectively and Dexamethasone (@ 0.028 mg kg^-1 b.w./d) treatment was given on 17th to 19th d. Milking was initiated on day 20. Biopsies of mammary glands were collected on 0, 7th, 14th and 21st day from each animal. Hormonal treatment of mammary tissues of 0 days had abundant connective and adipose tissues with very sparse lobuloalveolar structures. On the 7th day, there was a decrease in stroma, increase in epithelial cell area with increased lobulo-alveolar architecture. There was an accumulation of intracellular and intra-luminal secretions with more lipid droplets. From 7th to 21st day, these changes were progressive although variable amongst buffaloes. The average size of the lobule, alveoli as well as the number and volume of alveoli were significantly increased on the 21st day as compared to 0 day. Increase in size of lobule, alveoli and volume of alveoli and number of alveoli inferred that there was significant physiological changes in the ultrastructure of mammary gland of buffalo. These changes were similar to lactating mammary gland.