Histometrical study of the different parts of ureter in one-humped camel

Abstract

Dromedary camel is an essential source of food and milk in many parts of the world. Functional urinary system is vital for this animal to survive in hot climate. Production of highly concentrated urine is an important adaptation for dromedary camel to live in such dry and hot environment. The aim of this study was to study the microscopic structures of ureter and compare its three parts and its different layers in adult male dromedary camels. Six adult male one-humped camels aged between 7 and 11 years were used in this study. Tissue samples of the upper, middle, and lower part of ureter were collected and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome and periodic acid–Schiff staining. Histological studies revealed three layers in the ureter wall including tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica adventitia. Ureter was covered by folded transitional epithelium on mucosal surface. The collagen and elastic fibers and many nervous endings were seen in lamina propria, while no goblet cells, submucosal mucous glands, and muscularis mucosae were identified. Tunica muscularis consisted of smooth muscles tunica adventitia was composed of areolar connective tissue with blood and lymphatic vessels and nerve endings. Our data analysis indicated that the mean ureter diameter as well as tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia in the upper part was significantly (P > 0.05) greater than the lower part. There was no significant difference between various parts of ureter in the left and right sides, and also no significant difference was observed between other parts of ureter. The results obtained in this study could be used to improve experimental urologic studies.