Postnatal study on the histochemistry of epididymis in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The histochemical localisation and development of carbohydrates, acid mucopolysaccharides, lipids and desoxyribonucleic acid has been determined in the head, body and tail segments of buffalo epididymis at different stages of postnatal development from 3-76 weeks of age. The cytoplasm contains numerous Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant granules which are abundant in the apical region of the epithelial cells at 3-52 weeks. They decrease in number at 72-76 weeks and instead, a diffuse Schiff-positive material is observed in the cytoplasm of the cells, particularly in regions III-VI of the epididymis. In all the stages of development, the basement membrane and the luminal border of the epithelial cells have strong PAS-positive reaction. The intertubular connective tissue is mildly PAS-reactive, with moderate activity on the endothelial lining and smooth muscles of blood vessels. The capsule shows an intense Schiff-positive material in the fibers while the stereocilia are mildly reactive. PAS activity is less in region I and greater in regions V-VI as compared with the other regions of the epididymis. A moderate quantity of lipids is present in the epithelial cells and smooth muscles of the tubules. Sudanophilia is more pronounced in the tail region as compared with the head and body regions of the epididymis. Acid mucopolysaccharides are present, minutely, in the epithelial cell cytoplasm, with moderate activity on the stereocilia of the tubules. The Feulgen reaction is deep in region I and light to moderate in the other regions of the epididymis.