Histomorphogical studies on ovaries of Punjab white Quail

The present study was conducted on the ovaries of six Punjab white quails. The study revealed that left ovary is functional gonad and was composed of outer cortex and inner vascular medulla. The ovarian follicles were divided into primary, secondary, tertiary, atretic and post ovulatory stages. In all the stages of development the oocytes occupied entire follicles leaving no antrum. The primary follicles were seen just below tunica albugenia and were smallest and consisted of a single layer of flattened granulosa cells around the oocytes. The secondary follicles were slightly larger than primary follicles. The mature follicular wall was composed of stratum granulosum, theca interna, theca extern a, loose connective tissue and superficial epithelium from inside to outside. Theca externa was the thickest layer and made up of dense connective tissue. Nerve fibers were observed through out theca interna and externa of the ovarian follicles which may be responsible for ovulation. Medulla was composed of numerous contorted arterial branches, veins, lymph vessels, nerve bundles and smooth muscle. The ovarian morphology of quails was similar to other birds.