Histomorphometry and histochemical studies on the trachea of local poultry of Poonch region of UT of J&K

The present study was carried on trachea of 06 healthy poultry of Poonch region. Trachea was composed of tunica mucosa, submucosa, cartilage rings and adventitia. Mucosa comprised of pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium with two cell types. Columnar cells had oval to elongated nuclei while the basal cells had smaller, rounder nuclei. Intra-epithelial alveolar mucous glands were observed. Apical region of glands had foamy cytoplasm. Lamina propria merged with submucosa and consisted of collagen, elastic and reticular fibers with abundant lymphocytes. Tracheal rings made up of hyaline cartilage consisted of two parts, a much thicker inner cartilage ring and outer thin ring. The glassy ground substance had lacunae containing single chondrocyte and few isogenous groups. Loose connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves were reported in tunica adventitia. Striated muscles were connected to the trachea containing blood vessels and nerve plexus. Histochemically, mucous glands exhibited a strong reaction for PAS-AB. Perichondrium covering the cartilage ring was moderately to strongly positive for basic proteins whereas the striated muscle fibers associated with trachea displayed moderate reaction. A strong reaction for glycogen was seen in the extra-cellular matrix surrounding the lacunae containing chondrocytes. Epithelium and mucous glands were moderately positive for lipids, lamina propria was weak and tunica adventitia was strongly reactive for lipids.