HISTOMORPHOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON MEDIASTINUM TESTIS OF BUFFALO FETUS

Abstract

Histomorphochemistry was conducted on the mediastinum testis of buffalo fetuses collected from a local
abattoir immediately after the sacrifice of buffalo. The results revealed that mediastinum testis was comprised of
rete-testis, blood and lymph vessels, differentiating fibroblasts and mesenchymal cells at 15.5 cm curved crown
rump length (CVRL). At 20 cm CVRL, the rete tubules were luminated lined by simple cuboidal to columnar type
of epithelium. The connective tissue surrounding the rete-testis contained abundance of collagen fibres, few nerve
fibres, elastic fibres and reticular fibres. The reaction of acid and neutral mucopolysachharides, sudanophilic
lipids and basic proteins were moderate to strong in the mediastinum testis. The activity of phosphatases and
dehydrogenases was weak to moderate in the mediastinum testis. The presence of various histochemical and
histoenzymic activites in the mediastinum may be correlated with developmental changes during early fetal life.