Scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies of the oviduct of buffalo during follicular and luteal phases of estrous cycle
Abstract
The present work was conducted on oviduct of five healthy buffaloes each during follicular and luteal phase under scanning and transmission electron microscope. The mucosa of different segments of oviduct was thrown into folds and was mainly lined with ciliated and non ciliated cells. From fimbria to uterotubal junction there was decrease in number and size of ciliated cells whereas the non ciliated cells increased. Secretory droplets during the follicular and luteal phases were observed. In the ampullary and isthmus region the non ciliated cells had microvillous processes which were either thick or plate like. The non ciliated cells in the uterotubal junction has shrunken appearance during follicular phase where as in luteal phase they appeared to be ruptured. In the transmission electron microscope it was observed that in between the cilia microvillous processes were also observed. The nonciliated cells in different segments could be classified as light and dark cells. Large number of protrusions having cytoplasmic organells and pleomorphic granules were also observed.