Histochemical Studies on the Camel Extraocular Muscles and Their Innervation

Abstract

The current study was conducted to examine the one-humped camel (Camillus dromedarius) extraocular muscles and their innervation. Furthermore, the S-100 immuno-expression within these muscle fibers was analyzed. Fourteen eyeballs, from native Egyptian camels (of both sex), were collected. Processing and preparation of the obtained tissue samples took place after being immersed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. After that, they sectioned, and then subjected to the following stains; Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) for determination of muscle spindle, nerve trunk, and Golgi tendon organ, PAS and Alciane blue for detection of mucopolysaccharides, and silver stain to examine muscle fibers and nerve trunk affinity. The obtained results showed that the extraocular muscles consisted of seven muscles: four recti, two obliques, and one retractor bulbi muscle. Each muscle had a muscle spindle that was encapsulated with a connective tissue capsule with intrafusal muscle and paraxial space. As well as, the Golgi tendon organ was found at the musculotendinous junction. Immuno-expression of the seven muscles showed varying degrees of immunostaining affinity to the S-100 protein.