Histomorphology and Histochemistry of the Oviduct in Laying Turkey Hens with Emphasis on the Sperm Host Glands.

Research Abstract

The current study was conducted to investigate the histomorphological and histochemical structure as well as the morphometrical analysis of all parts of the adult turkey hens’ (Meleagris gallopavo) oviduct during the egg production period. For this purpose, twenty four adult turkey hens were used. Gross examination and measurements of the oviduct compartments were obtained, and four specimens for each portion were used for scanning electron microscopic examination. Histologically, pieces of different oviduct portions were subjected to routine histological processing. Macroscopically, the oviduct had five portions; infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. Microscopically, the wall of the oviduct is composed of four concentric layers; mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa but lacks lamina muscularis mucosa. The lamina propria submucosa contained immune competent cells and tubular glands in all portions of the oviduct except the infundibular funnel and vagina that devoid of any glands. The neutral mucopolysaccharides were predominant in supra-nuclear portions of the mucosal epithelium in all portions of the oviduct. In contrast, acid mucopolysaccharides were dominated in the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, and vagina but were absent in the proprial glands. Sperm host glands were prominent in the uterovaginal portion. The vaginal tunica muscularis was the thickest compared with other oviduct parts forming the vaginal sphincter. In conclusion, the five portions of the turkey’s oviduct varied concerning the length, shape, number, height of the mucosal folds, and glandular contents as well as the thickness of the muscular coat, which allow the turkey hens to be adaptive for egg formation and transportation along their reproductive tract during the egg-laying period.

Research Keywords

Histochemistry, Laying Turkey hens, Oviduct, SEM, Sperm host glands