Seminal Glands of Buffalo Bulls (Bos bubalis L.) During Prepubertal and Pubertal Periods: Histological and Histochemical

Abstract

The current investigation was carried out on the seminal glands of six apparently healthy mature male Buffalo bulls and six immature. The specimens were collected and examined anatomically and histologically after being fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. The specimens were subjected to processing till paraffin sections were obtained and stained. The anatomical and histological findings of the seminal glands are varying with age. Anatomically, the immature seminal gland was small sized, flaccid in texture, white in color and measured about 0.80-0.95 gm in weight, 1.95-2.50 cm in length, 1.00-1.15 cm in width and about 0.46-0.60 cm in thickness. Meanwhile, in mature one became larger in size, firm in texture, pale yellow in color, multi-lobulated where had a very large lobules on its outer surface giving, cluster of grapes liked appearance. It measured about 7-8 gm in weight, 5-6 cm in length, 2-2.5 cm in width and about 80-1.3 cm in thickness. Microscopically, the seminal gland was observed consisting of a stroma of connective tissue and a parenchyma of differentiating and undifferentiating acini in immature animal. Meanwhile, in mature one, the parenchyma was consisted of secretory end pieces and well-developed duct system. With advancement of age, the thickness of the capsule and trabeculae increased, also the number of secretory end pieces per unite area increased and the amount of inter-glandular connective tissue stroma reduced.