Histomorphochemical Studies on Accessory Glands of Iraqi Blackbuck (Caprus Hircus)

Abstract

Thevarious species' male accessory genital glands vary and are intimately relatedto the pelvic urethra. These glands secrete nutritional substances, buffers,and mucous to increase volume, serve as lubricants, reduce the minor acidity ofvaginal contents and make the environment more hospitable to motile sperm. Thisstudy aims to study the histological and histochemical structure of the maleaccessory sex glands in caprine Iraqi breeds. The male accessory genital glandsof ten adult males of the local Iraqi buck (Caprus hircus) weighing48-65 kg and aged 18-26 months were obtained from the Al-Najaf slaughterhouse.The specimens were prepared and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E),Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction (PAS), and Masson's trichrome stain. In theampulla, the glands revealed thin, wide tubules bordered by a simple columnarepithelium and pseudostratified columnar epithelium with rounded nuclei. The seminalvesicle, buck's mucous membrane, is folded according to histology. It is asimple columnar epithelium with basal cells in between and nuclei that rangefrom spherical to oval. The gland capsule comprises loose connective tissue(collagen fibers and smooth muscle) that responds favorably to Masson'strichrome stain. The prostate gland, the glandular tissue of the pelvicurethra, is implanted in the wall. The simple columnar epithelium lines thesealveoli; however, histological sections reveal that the prostate glandduct-lining epithelium has converted to pseudostratified columnar epithelium.The gland secretion is seromucoid with a positive PAS staining result. In thebulbourethral gland, varied sizes and shapes of secretory units weredistinguished. Most secretory units are alveolar in shape, while some aresaccular or tubular. The seminal vesicle, bulbourethral glands, and vasdeferens ampulla are well-developed and paired. Bucks have scattered prostateglands. The pseudostratified columnar epithelium lines the branching tubularampulla. Simple columnar epithelium and basal cells cover the mucosa of theseminal vesicle.