Gross Morphological, Histological and Histochemical Studies on the Epididymis of Local Pig (Zovawk) of Mizoram

Abstract

The aim of the research was to investigate the gross morphological, histological and histochemical structure of epididymis in local pig of Mizoram. The epididymis was collected from six apparently healthy adult Zovawk pigs. The epididymis appeared as a straight elongated tubular structure with reddish-white colour comprises of three regions; head, body and tail. The biometrical parameter including the weight, length and thickness (head, body and tail) were found to be higher in the left side of epididymis than the right side. Histologically, the duct of epididymis was surrounded by irregularly arranged tissue. The parenchyma of epididymis consists of tubules with distinct boundaries of connective tissues. The collagen and reticular fibers were abundant in tunica albuginea and connective tissue present between the tubules. However, few elastic fibers occurred in the capsule and only in the blood vessels in both the left and right epididymis of Zovawk pig. Histochemical studies revealed that basement membrane of tubules, blood vessels and stereocilia shows strong Periodic acid Schiff activity, whereas the basement membrane of tubules and stereocilia showed more concentration of acidic mucopolysaccharides. This is the first study to provide the detailed morphological, histological and histochemical structure of Zovawk epididymis.