Histomorphometrical and histochemical studies on the oviduct of Punjab white quails

The present work was conducted on oviduct of six Punjab white quails to study the histological, histochemical and micrometrical studies on the different parts of oviduct. The samples collected from infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina the oviduct were processed and paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson‘s trichrome, Periodic Acid Schiff for neutral mucopolysaccharides and Bromphenol blue for basic proteins. The cryostat sections were stained with Sudan Black B for demonstration of lipids. Numerous of mucosal folds were observed in the cranial part of infundibulum which decreased in the caudal part of infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and uterus and again became prominent in vagina. The lining epithelium of infundibulum, magnum, isthmus was simple columnar ciliated with ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The uterus and vagina was lined pseudostratified columnar epithelium having ciliated, non-ciliated, basal and goblet cells. The proprial glands were mainly present in the caudal part of infundibulum, magnum, isthmus and uterus. A strong PAS and AB-PAS reaction was observed in the epithelium of isthmus whereas the magnum showed similar reaction for AB-PAS only. The basic proteins were more localized in the epithelium of magnum. The micrometrical studies showed that the length and number of mucosal folds was maximum in the cranial part of infundibulum whereas the muscularis was thickest in the uterus and vagina. The serosa was a thin connective tissue layer covered by mesothelium.