Histoenzymatic studies on prenatal development of submandibular salivary gland in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Aim: The present study was aimed at elucidating the distribution of various enzymes in the submandibular salivary gland of buffalo during prenatal development and correlation of these enzyme systems with the secretory activity of the gland. Materials and Methods:The study was carried out on submandibular salivary gland of 15 buffalo fetuses ranging from 11 cm curved crown-rump length (CVRL) (78 days) to 100 cm CVRL (full term). The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their CVRL.Results: A weak activity of phosphatases and oxidoreductases was observed in the acinar cells and ductular epithelium at 11-19 cm CVRL (78-114 days). From 28 to 37 cm CVRL (136-157 days), a weak to moderate diffused granular alkaline phosphatase (AKPase) activity was observed in the seromucous acini whereas oxidoreductases showed moderate activity. The enzyme activity showed progressively increased with the advancement of the gestation period. The AKPase activity was more in the lumen of acini and along the intercellular canaliculi at 42-100 cm of CVRL (168 days -full term). Large ducts exhibited strong activity for oxidoreductases indicating increased metabolic activity of the cells. Conclusion:The fetuses of Group I showed a uniform weak activity in the acinar cells and ductular epithelium of the gland. In Group II, the enzymes showed a weak to moderate activity which progressively increased with the advancement of gestation period. The enzymes related to Group III showed a strong positive activity for enzymes which reflected higher secretory activity of the gland.

Histogenesis of the reticulum of non- descript goat (Capra hircus) of India

“…With the advancement of age cytological characters of cells of deepest layer remained constant however, their cytoplasm became more eosinophilic and foamy near the term. The cytological characters of basal zone were in close proximity with the earlier reports in buffalo [16, 17]. At 87 days few of the cells of middle layer showed characters of future stratum spinosum.…”

“…The connective tissue elements were more at the base and towards the tip. These observations were in accordance with the 50 cm CRL Egyptian water buffalo foetus [19] at 113 days of gestation in sheep [14], in 50.5 and 60.1 CRL buffalo foetus [16, 17] and 101 days in gestation in goat [13]. At 121 days of gestation, corial papillae were observed as lateral out pocketing of primary reticular crest and their number increased with the advancement of age.…”

“…The present study was in partial agreement withgoat foetal reticulum corial papillae located on the lateral surface of primary reticular crest at 101 days referred as corneum papillae [13] and corial papillae between 81-112 days of gestation in sheep [14]. In buffalo foeti corial papillae were recorded at 20 cm CRL [17]. However, corial papillae could not detect till birth in sheep and goat foetal reticulum [8, 9].…”

“…The elastic fibers were observed in propria submucosa and large blood vessels at 134 days of gestation. The appearance of elastic fibers in the propria submucosa was in harmony with the findings in sheep (120 days of gestation) and full term buffalo foetus [14, 17].…”

“…The reticular fibers became coarser at 100 days of gestation and these fibers formed network at 121 days of gestation. Reticular fibers were more in submucosa region and interwoven with adjacent fibers as reported in 14.7-19.6 cm CRL buffalo foeti [17]. Immature, isolated collagen fibers observed in propria submucosa at 100 days which became coarser at 121 days of gestation.…”