Histological And Histochemical Studies On The Testis And It’s Duct System In Sheep (Ovis aries)
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Date
2006
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Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Abstract
A systematic investigation on the post-natal histological development and
histochemistry of the testis and its duct system was undertaken. The thirty-two
Madras Red rams utilized for this study were divided into four age groups viz; pre-
weaning (birth to 3 months), pre-pubertal (4 to 6 months), pubertal (7 to 9 months)
and post-pubertal (10 to 12 months), each of which consisted of eight animals.
The testis was a compound coiled tubular gland. At birth, the sex cords were
smaller in size and solid without lumen. Between six and seven months of age, a
well-developed lumen was observed. The sex cords were lined with small and
large cells at birth. Sertoli cells and spermatogonia appeared at five months of age.
The primary spermatocytes first appeared at the age of six months. From the end of
the eighth month and at the ninth month of age, the round and elongated
spermatids and the spermatozoa made their appearance. The ram lambs had
attained puberty and were suitable for breeding from this age onwards.At birth, the interstitial tissue was closely packed and appeared to be
predominant. The undifferentiated mesenchymal cells started its transformation at
four months of age and mature Leydig cells were first observed during the fifth month
of age. As age advanced, the tubular growth became predominant and the inter-
tubular area decreased.
The three regions of the epididymis consisted of six segments and showed
regional differences. At birth, the epithelium was simple but as age advanced it
became pseudostratified. The non-glandular portion of the ductus deferens was
pseudostratified columnar from birth. Its terminal portion enlarged into an ampulla. In
the ampullary region, at birth, the epithelium showed the branched folds and the
lumen was irregular.
The testis and its duct system showed a weak to moderate activity for neutral
and acid mucopolysaccharides, glycogen and lipids in its different components, up to
the pre-pubertal period. The reaction for lipids was weak up to the pre-pubertal
period. The reaction became mild in the pre-pubertal period and thereafter was mild to
moderate up to the maturity. The activity for phosphatases and dehydrogenases was
weak in the pre-weaning and pre-pubertal periods, but with the onset of puberty, the
enzyme activities were better developed.