LOCALISATION OF CYTOKERATIN AND SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIN IN THE ACCESSORY GENITAL GLANDS OF CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) DURING RUTTING AND NON-RUTTING SEASONS

摘要

The present study has disclosed for the first time the distribution of cytokeratin (CK) and α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in the accessory genital glands of camel. In prostate, CK was localised in the cytoplasm of columnar cells of secretory acini and in the scanty cytoplasm of basal cells. In the ampulla of ductus deferens, the CK reaction was found in the pseudostratified columnar epithelium of mucosa and in the secretory columnar epithelium of submucosal glands. In the bulbourethral gland, CK reaction was exclusively observed in the pyramidal cells of type A and type C secretory units as well as in the lining epithelium of the duct system. αSMA was localised to the smooth muscle cells of the prostatic capsule, fibromuscular stroma and blood vessels. In the ampulla, αSMA reaction was seen in the smooth muscle of tunica muscularis, fibromuscular stroma and blood vessels. In the bulbourethral gland, α SMA was only localised to the smooth muscle cells of the capsule and blood vessels in both reproductive periods. Unexpectedly, neither the interlobular nor the intralobular connective tissue stroma of bulbourethral gland has reacted to αSMA. In conclusion, the distribution of CK and α SMA in the accessory genital glands of camels might point out to their roles in the male reproduction.