Histogenesis and histochemical studies on the oviduct during prenatal life in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was conducted on 27 buffalo foetii to elucidate the histogenesis and histochernical changes in the oviduct of buffalo during prenatal life. The foetii were divided into 3 groups based on their crown rump length. The tissues from left and right side of oviduct were processed and sections were stained with different histomorphological and histochemical stains. The study revealed that at 10.0 cm CRL the cranial part of the Mullerian duct has been differentiated into oviduct and slight coiling was evident at 14.0 cm CRL. Primary, secondary and tertiary mucosal folds could be observed at 25.0 cm CRL, 48.0 cm CRL and 79.0 cm CRL. The mucosa was lined by either simple columnar or stratified columnar epithelium with cilia at some places. At 79.0 cm CRL epithelium consisted of ciliated cells, non-ciliated cells, peg cells, basal cells and some migrating cells. Tunica muscularis was formed at 42.0 cm CRL. Flistochemical observations of neutral mucoploysaccharides, acid mucoploysaccharides and basic proteins on different layers of oviduct has revealed less reaction in group I and more in groups 2 and 3. A generalized weak to moderate reaction for sudanophilic lipids and phospholipids was observed in all the groups.