Visualization of Epididymides by Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy in Mali Pig of Tripura, India

This study aimed to investigate the histological, histochemical and scanning electron microscopic characteristics of the developmental epididymides of Mali Pig of Tripura.The samples for this study were collected from the fifteen Mali pigs arranged in five different age groups.The collagen, reticular, elastic and nerve fibers were found in the epididymal capsule, basement membrane and the blood vessels for all three regions of the epididymides and it has been recorded on their developmental basis.Spermatozoa were recorded from some ducts of the corpus and caudal epididymides at three months of age.Histochemical studies were revealed for glycogen, acidic mucopolysaccharides, keratin and pre-keratin for all the age groups separately in their caput, corpus and caudal regions.The basement membrane of the tubules and stereocilia was recorded for glycogen and acidic mucopolysaccharides activity.The pre-keratin activity was recorded for the cytoplasm of the basal and principal cells in three months of aged animals.The scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the structural morphology of the epididymal ducts and provided detailed evidence of the development of spermatozoa in different regions of the epididymides.