Gross and Microanatomical Studies on the Uterus of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) During the Post-hatching Period with Special Emphasis on Sperm Host Gland

Abstract

The quail acts as a model for recent experimental studies and its oviduct development is of special interest. This study was carried out on 61 adult female Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) collected from quail farms in Assiut and South Valley Universities in order to characterize the morphological features of the uterus during the post-hatching life. The process of development was consisted of three stages: undifferentiated, differentiated and adult stage. The undifferentiated stage began from day of hatching till 25-days old age and the oviduct was divided into cranial, middle and caudal parts. The caudal part (the future uterus and vagina) was represented by a simple wall of a single layer of simple columnar epithelial cells resting on subepithelial undifferentiated mesenchymal cells with many mitotic divisions. At 20 days old, the mucosa is thrown into distinct mucosal folds as well as the ciliated and secretory epithelial cells were first appeared at this age. At differentiated stage (from 30-40 days), the tubular glands began to develop and opened between the epithelial cells. The adult stage began from 50 days old and the luminal surface of the uterus was characterized by numerous long leaf-like folds. Also, the apical part of the cells showed positive reaction with PAS and Alcian blue. The tubular glands are filled with the secretion, which give positive reaction with PAS and Alcian blue. The uterovaginal junction lies between the uterus and the cranial part of the vagina, and contains the sperm host gland. This area showed transition of the mucosal folds from longitudinal folds of the uterus to complex interconnecting folds of the vagina. Many typical sperms with oval head and tail were inserted between the ciliated and microvillous surface epithelial cells of sperm host glands. This detailed anatomical and histological study of post-hatching development of uterus in quail will not only help to evaluate changes occurs during this critical period, but also will assist in understanding clearly the physiology of reproduction in quail.

Light and Electron microscopic studies on the sperm host glands in Punjab white quail

“…At higher magnification the surface of lining cells were seen having microvillus projections. Ibrahim et al (2015) studied utero-vaginal junction of Japanese quail and showed transition of mucosal folds from longitudinal folds of uterus to complex interconnecting folds of the vagina. The mucous membrane of this area was covered densely with cilia.…”