Comparative Histological Studies of the Esophagus Wall of Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit Adult, Young and Lactating Using Light Microscope

Abstract

Background: As the different parts of the alimentary canal, the esophagus is an important part of it, because it facilitate the passage of food material to the stomach. The purpose of this study was to compare the structure of the esophageal wall of rabbit before weaning (lactating) and after weaning (young and adult) to determine the structural changes that accompany the changes of the feeding pattern from lactating to adult. Result: we collected fifteen rabbit. Five animals were randomly choised from each stage (young after weaning, young before weaning and adult). Esophagus were removed after anesthesia, processed and examined on light electron microscope. Histologically, the esophageal wall of Oryctolagus cunniculus composed of the four layers as any other mammals. mucosa with stratified non keratinized squamous epithelium was observed and it give strong reaction with (PAS) in adult rabbit while in lactating ones it give negative reaction and moderate reaction in young rabbits. Muscularis mucosa layer was absent in lactating rabbit. Conclusion: From these studies, we observed some differences than other mammals may be related to the physiological pattern and behavior of feeding.