Light, scanning and transmission electron micro-scopical study on the oviduct of the ostrich (Stru-thio camelus) [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Nine mature female ostriches (Struthio camelus) aged 37- 49 months were used for the present study. The sam-ples were taken during the period from September to November from Al-masreya ostrich farm, immediately after sacrification and evisceration. Pieces from the different segments of the left oviduct were taken, then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and Bouin’s and Susa solutions for the light micro-scopic study and in 2 % gluteraldehyde for both scanning and transmission E/M examination. For light microscopic study the slides were stained with Harri's hematoxylen and eosin, Crossman’s trichrome stain, Weigert's elastic tissue stain and Peri-odic acid Schiff technique (PAS).The right oviduct is rudimentary, while the left one is well developed and is formed of five segments, namely: infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. The scanning E/M revealed that the lin-ing epithelium of the oviduct is folded and formed of pseudostratified columnar ciliated cells. The cilia were slender, dense uniformly arranged, and identical in length. In magnum, isthmus and uterus the scanning E/M study revealed the pres-ence of openings between the cilia for the secretion of the tubular glands of the lamina propria. The results obtained were discussed with the available literatures. Key words Ostrich, Oviduct, Scanning E/M, Trans-mission E/M

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