Electron-Microscopic Studies on the Palatine Tonsil of the Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Ibrahim Alhaji Girgiri,Pawan Kumar

doi:10.6000/1927-520x.2021.10.02

Ibrahim Alhaji Girgiri, Pawan Kumar

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-520x.2021.10.02

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Abstract

The study examined the ultrastructural features of the palatine tonsils of the local mixed breed of adult buffaloes using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The tissue samples collected from the palatine tonsils were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde solution and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy of the tonsil's surface epithelium presented folded mucosa consisting of folds divided by shallow grooves. The mucosal surface was having a squamous arrangement of cells that were delineated from the adjacent cells. These cells at higher magnification presented the microplicae, which appeared as if filled with material. A few small duct openings were irregularly placed throughout the mucosal surface. The transmission electron-microscopy elaborated structural details of the distinct strata of the surface and reticular epithelia, the cell organelles as well as the lymphocytes migration across the high endothelial venules. The vesiculo-vacuolar organelle was also observed. The study provided detailed ultramicroscopic features of the palatine tonsil, which might play a significant role in the induction of immunity against ingested antigens sampled at the mucosal surface.

Highlights

The palatine tonsil, a major component of Waldeyer's ring of lymphoid tissue, is well positioned along the digestive tract providing a defensive barrier against ingested antigens [1]
The specialised tonsil structures which contribute to immune functions consist of the reticular crypt epithelium, which acts as an inductive site where antigens sampled from the mucosal surface are translocated to underlying lymphoid cells [3] and the subepithelial lymphoid compartments consisting of germinal centres in B-cell follicles, surrounded by T-cell rich zones, abundant plasma cells, and a variety of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) comparable to lymph nodes, but not truly encapsulated and lacked afferent lymphatics [4]
Fresh tissues of palatine tonsils of both sides were collected from 6 heads of clinically healthy adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of 5-6 years of age of local mixed breed irrespective of sex were procured from Municipal Slaughterhouse Ghazipur, New Delhi, India after their sacrifice by captive bolt stunning gun method

Summary

Introduction

The palatine tonsil, a major component of Waldeyer's ring of lymphoid tissue, is well positioned along the digestive tract providing a defensive barrier against ingested antigens [1]. The specialised tonsil structures which contribute to immune functions consist of the reticular crypt epithelium, which acts as an inductive site where antigens sampled from the mucosal surface are translocated to underlying lymphoid cells [3] and the subepithelial lymphoid compartments consisting of germinal centres in B-cell follicles, surrounded by T-cell rich zones, abundant plasma cells, and a variety of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) comparable to lymph nodes, but not truly encapsulated and lacked afferent lymphatics [4].

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