The spleen is the largest secondary lymphatic organ involved in filtering the blood and initiating immune responses against antigens. The present study was carried out on the spleen of three black buck collected from Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden, Mysore. Histologically, the spleen was surrounded by a thick capsule composed mainly of dense collagen fibers with few smooth muscle fibers. Thick trabeculae consisting of collagen, elastic, reticular and smooth muscle fibers extended from the capsule into the parenchyma. The splenic parenchyma was composed of red pulp and white pulp. The white pulp was distributed throughout the spleen and was composed of lymphatic nodules with a central artery. Histochemically the capsule and trabeculae showed moderate to strong PAS reaction. However, no reaction was seen in the white pulp and red pulp.

Ovary plays the dynamic role in the reproductive biology of female animals. With the aim to study the ovarian and follicular morphometry of Nellore sheep, both right and left ovaries were collected separately from the slaughter houses of Tirupati. For each of the specimens, gross parameters such as weight, length, width and thickness were recorded. Then they were processed and stained with H&E, Masson’s trichome, Verhoff’s and Gomori’s stains for histology and histomorphometry. The right ovary weighed (0.37±0.06g) more the left (0.30±0.03g). The length of the right ovary (1.020±0.12cm) was lower than the left (1.13±0.07cm) but the width of the right (0.93±0.10cm) was greater than the left (0.83±0.02cm). The diameter of ovarian follicles in the cortex was measured as primordial (29.74±1.30µm), primary (47.27±2.06µm), secondary or early antral (140.65±15.90µm), small vesicular or antral (584.43±23.9µm) and large vesicular/antral (1413.61±102.94µm) of ovary. In the large antral follicle, the thickness of granulosa cell layer was 80.08±1.43µm, theca interna 51.03±1.86µm, theca externa 41.02±0.92µm and the oocyte diameter was 118.9±3.64µm. These results will be helpful to manipulate ovarian functions in small ruminants.

Ovaries from twenty two apparently healthy, non-pregnant and cyclic Nellore sheep was taken with the aim to explore histological and micrometrical aspects of the corpus luteum in ovary of adult Nellore sheep. The sections were cut at 5-6µ thick and histological procedures were carried out. From capsule, various trabeculae descend into the substance of corpus luteum. Thickness of the trabeculae which descends from the capsule was almost equal in thickness to that of capsule at the periphery and tapers towards the centre. The capsule mainly comprised of collagen and reticular fibres. The occurrence of two fully developed corpora lutea in the same ovary was also observed. On the basis of shape and the size, three basic types of lutein cells were observed: large (16.38-28.17µm), small (7.95-27.06µm) and spindle shaped (15.73-29.57µm) cells. Moderate PAS reaction was seen in Capsule, Trabeculae and mild reaction was seen in luteal cells of corpus luteum.

The topography and distribution of the various tonsils were studied anatomically in sheep. The palatine, paraepiglottic and lingual tonsils in Oropharynx and Pharyngeal, Tubal tonsil and Soft palate tonsils in Nasopharynx were studied macroscopically. Mid sagittal sections of freshly slaughtered sheep heads were fixed in 2% Acetic acid for 12-24 hours. After fixation the tonsils were macroscopically visible as white elevated patches in the mucosa which can be clearly appreciated. Pharyngeal tonsil was one of the biggest tonsils noticed in sheep which was seen as white nodule in the caudal part of pharyngeal septum. The surface of this tonsil showed several folds which were mostly oriented longitudinally. Tubal tonsil appeared as scattered nodules in the lateral pharyngeal wall, ventral, and mainly caudal, to the opening of the auditory tube. The number of these nodules on each side varied from 40-60. The tonsil of the soft palate is located at the dorsal surface (nasopharyngeal side) of the soft palate they were small pin head size nodules scattered in the mucosa of rostral aspect of soft palate no aggregations were seen in the caudal aspect. The lingual tonsil was not macroscopically visible in sheep and consisted of scattered small aggregations of lymphocytes.

The lateral cuneate nucleus (LCN) (or nucleus of von Monakow) is a relay nucleus conveying proprioceptive stimuli of the muscles from the upper half of the body to the cerebellum. The cytoarchitecture of lateral cuneate nucleus of the buffalo has been described by materials collected from eight buffalos. Serial and semi serial sections of brain stem were stained with nissl stain. The nucleus first appeared as a group of two or three neurons in the dorso-lateral tegmentum of the medulla immediately ventral to the dorsal surface of the brain stem. The nucleus was composed of small and medium sized neurons. The majority of medium sized neurons were oval, round and stellate in shape. The nucleus of these neurons was central or eccentric and the position of the nucleolus was variably central and darkly stained. The shape of the small neurons was triangular and fusiform with a large central nucleus. The average true diameter of the cell body and the nucleus respectively for medium sized neurons in the lateral cuneate nucleus were 34.12 ±0.56μm and 14.26 ±0.19μm. Medium sized neurons were dispersed throughout the LCN. Medium sized neurons had central nuclei and darkly stained fine to coarse Nissl substance. Small sized neurons tended to concentrate mainly at two poles of the nucleus comparable to the cat. Average true diameter of the cell body and nucleus of the small sized neurons were 21.02 ±0.38µm and 10.90±0.19µm, respectively. The Nissl substance in small neurons appeared coarse and darkly stained. These findings yield some light on the structure of the lateral cuneate nucleus of one of the largest animals (the buffalo).

The cytoarchitecture of the parasympathetic oculomotor nucleus in the buffalo has been described by materials collected from eight buffalos. Serial and semi serial sections of brain stem were used for the study. The parasympathetic oculomotor nucleus was composed primarily of small and medium sized fusiform cells. The neurons had prominent nucleus with central or eccentric nucleolus and a small amount of cytoplasm. Coarse clumps of deeply stained Nissl substance was distributed in the scarce cytoplasm. The mean neuron population in the nucleus was 18,834. In the nucleus the mean diameter of medium sized neurons was 29.87 ± 0.41 μm and that of small sized neurons was 23.1 ± 0.29 μm.

The present study was undertaken to systematically establish the myological characteristics of the arm region of sloth bear which might help to carryout morphological assessments. Carcasses of sloth bears were obtained from the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre of Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore. In this study it was observed that M. Biceps brachi was principally made up of the long head and its tendon coursed within bicipital groove. M. brachialis lodged in the musculo spiral groove and coursed in a spiral like fashion. M. triceps comprised of five heads with M. triceps longus and medialis again subdivided two parts, got inserted on the olecranon process. M. triceps lateralis was smaller than M. triceps longus which run diagonally across the outer surface of arm. M. anconeus lied deep to the distal part of the M. triceps. In sloth bear attachment of muscle was more proximally compared with other carnivore which may account for the slow gait of bears.

The morphology of the motor divisionof oculomotor nucleus in the buffalo has been described by materials collected from eight buffalos. Myelin stained serial and semi serial sections of brain stem were used for the study. The motor nucleus of oculomotor nerve was located ventral to the cerebral aqueduct in a wedge shaped trough formed by the medial longitudinal fasciculus. It extended from the level of junction of the rostral and caudal colliculi to the cranial third of the rostral colliculus. The average length, width and height of the motor nucleus in the buffalo were 8.1mm, 1.75mm and 2.75mm respectively. The motor nucleus in the buffalo was subdivided into a caudal central, dorsomedial, dorsolateral and ventral divisions.

In the rapid imaging technique used for the medical examination and diagnosis such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasonography require an in depth study of sectional anatomy. Sheet plastination of specimens provides material for the study of sectional anatomical structures (von Hagens et al., 1987). Western world uses P 35 or P 40 with the accelerator and hardner for sheet plastination as described by Weber et al. (2007). The purpose of the present study was to find an easier and more cost effective method for sheet plastination.

Semi-allogeneic foetus and placenta exploit various mechanisms to avoid immune-mediated maternal rejection. Several factors and cytokines are attributed for production of immune tolerance during gestation and very little information on expression of these immune-regulatory genes is available in pig. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) from early, mid and late gestational stages (n=4) were analysed for expression of immune regulatory genes, viz. Fas ligand (FasL), transporter for antigen processing-1 (TAP-1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) whereas Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was employed as housekeeping gene. FasL gene expression was significantly higher in mid (13.46 fold) and late (28.77 fold) gestation than the early (1 fold) stage.TAP-1 mRNA expression was enhanced by 4.95 fold and 2.69 fold during mid and late gestation respectively in comparison to the early (1 fold) stage. TGF-β1 gene expression was up regulated in mid (2.43 fold) and late (2.29 fold) gestation than the early (1 fold) stage. MIF mRNA expression was enhanced in mid (3.04 fold) and late (1.59 fold) gestation in relation to the early (1 fold) stage. Placenta of pig remains entirely epitheliochorial which may minimise immune recognition and is supposed to diminish potent immune-regulatory mechanisms. However, our present study revealed consistent expression for immune regulatory factors which suggests immune modulation does exist in pig and may impart a role in pregnancy success.

The present study was carried as a part of PhD programme in Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Veterinary College, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The histological studies conducted on nasal cavity of 10 adult healthy pigs. Revealed vestibular, respiratory and olfactory regions. The smallest vestibular region was lined by stratified squamous epithelium and its propria submucosa contained hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, venous caverns, mucous and serous glands. The respiratory region was lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and its propria submucosa had mucous glands increased rostro-caudally the olfactory region was lined with the olfactory epithelium and contained mucous type of Bowman's glands and increased number of nerve bundles.

The present study was carried as a part of PhD programme in Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Veterinary college, Bengaluru, Karnataka. The histological studies was conducted on larynx of 10 adult healthy pigs. The larynx of the pig consisted of three unpaired and one paired cartilages namely epiglottis, thyroid, cricoid and paired arytenoids. The laryngeal cavity was divided into three different regions namely, anteriorly vestibule, middle glottis and caudal infraglottic cavity. The epithelial lining of the vestibule, glottis and initial portion of infraglottis was lined by stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium. Rest of the infraglottis was lined by pseudostratified non-ciliated columnar epithelium. Laryngeal recesses was well developed in the glottis region. Mucus, serous and seromucous glands were seen in the propria submucosa. Subepithelial lymphatic aggregates and venous caverns were also noted.

The expression pattern of BMPR-2 and Fas was investigated in different developmental stages (1-3 mm, 3-5 mm, 5-8 mm and >8 mm) of follicles and the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) was studied in vitro on granulosa cell function. BMPR-2 was mainly localized in the granulosa cells, oocytes and theca cells of healthy follicles from primordial to late antral stages and the expression pattern did not differ among different sizes of follicles. The Fas was predominantly expressed in granulosa cells of atretic follicles. In the granulosa cell culture, BMP-2 (30 ng/ml) and IGF-1 (100 ng/ml) significantly increased estradiol-17β production when compared to control in all sizes i.e. small (3-5 mm), medium (5-8 mm) and large (>8 mm) follicles. This first study in buffalo revealed that BMP-2 rescues small size follicles, whereas IGF-1 rescues all size follicles from Fas mediated apoptosis in buffalo.

V. R. Annie 1 , Shruti 2 , Sunilkumar Patil 3 , K. V. Jamuna 4 and * V. Ramkrishna 5 . 1. PhD. Scholar, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, COVAS, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. 2. MVSc. Scholar, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, Veterinary College, Bangalore. 3. PhD. Scholar, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, Veterinary College, Bangalore. 4. Prof. & Head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, Veterinary College, Bangalore. 5. Retd. Prof. Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, Veterinary College, Bangalore. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History

A case of suspected wild boar death due to dynamite blast by poachers was received by us for confirmation. The skin sample was collected and examined histologically for identification based on hair follicle arrangement in the horizontal section of skin. The horizontal sections of skin from both domestic and wild boar was stained in order to study the distribution of hair follicles. Linear arrangement of hair follicles comprising three primary follicles in a row was observed in both domestic and suspected wild boar. Based on circumstantial evidence it was concluded that it may be belonging to wild boar.

The process of follicular development and features of morphological changes are essential to understand the factors involved during folliculogenesis and to improve fertility in buffalo. Hence the objective of the present study was to report ultrastructural features of atretic ovarian follicles in buffalo. In the early stage of atresia, the involvement of mitochondria was observed and whereas in the later stages of atresia, involvement of macrophages were observed. The granulosa cells of buffalo atretic tertiary follicles were observed to contain undulation of the nuclear membrane, crescent formation of the pyknotic nuclei and loopiness and undulations of the basal lamina. These features are similar to the reports in other species. The involvement of mitochondria in the early stage of atresia suggested the probable role of a reactive oxygen free radical induced damage.

The present study was carried out to observe the histological and histochemical details of the teat of lactating Malnad Gidda cows. The gland cistern continued downward as teat cistern and was lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The Furstenberg’s rosette was lined by simple columnar to cuboidal epithelium and at places was lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium. The sub epithelial stroma of the rosette was thrown into primary and secondary folds projecting in to the lumen. The number of simple coiled tubular glands was more in the rosette as compared to teat cistern. The gland lining epithelium was positive to acid mucopolysacharides. The teat canal with longitudinal folds lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium and presented cylindrical lumen. The keratin of the teat canal lining along with the lipid formed the keratin plug which prevented both leakage of milk and the entry of bacteria and thus protecting the mammary gland from mastitis.

The mammary gland of lactating Malnad Gidda cows was surrounded from outside to inside by the skin and the fibroelastic capsule. The epidermis of the skin was lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. The dermis showed nerve fibres, sweat gland, sebaceous gland and hair follicles. The interstitial tissue of the mammary gland provided important structural support for the secretory units and contained blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The interalveolar septum consisted of collagen, elastic and reticular fibres, fibroblasts and smooth muscle. The glandular epithelium was surrounded by reticular fibres with infiltration of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and plasma cells. The presence of higher number of immunogenic cells in the mammary gland might be responsible for extending higher resistance power to fight against mastitis and other diseases.The glandular alveoli were round to oval lined by simple cuboidal epithelium with supranuclear vacuolation, indicating supranuclear lipid accumulation. The gland was divided into lobes and lobules by the trabeculae extending from the capsule. The cells of the alveoli revealed presence of iron and calcium. The secretory materials showed presence of iron, mucopolysacharides, sulphated and acidic mucopolysacharides, fat and cholesterol. The corpora amylacea were dense bodies located in the alveoli, interalveolar, interlobular and interlobar connective tissue. The corpora amylacea were round, oval or irregular shaped concentrically laminated bodies with few droplets in the centre. The acidic and sulphated mucopolysacharides, proteins and mucin were seen in corpora amylacea.

The sections of spleen, liver and kidney of pig were studied histologically before and after indigenous plastination. The light microscopic observations of plastinated sections revealed an excellent maintenance of tissues morphology. The solvent induced shrinkage artifact was completely absent unlike that of paraffin sections. To conclude, the indigenously plastinated tissue sections can also be used for histological and histopathological studies, however, proper deplastination prior to histological procedures may improve the differential staining, clarity and sharpness of microscopic details.