Histochemical characterization of duodenum at early, mid and late prenatal period in goats

Abstract

Goats [Capra aegagrus hircus (L.)] play a significant role in providing supplementary income and livelihood to humans. The intestine plays a major role in foetus development and growth, and duodenum, as the part of small intestine, is responsible for breakdown of food. As there is not much studies available in literature on this aspect, here, we investigated the developing duodenum of 30 goat embryos/foeti irrespective of breed and sex. The tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and in cold acetone. Different histochemical techniques were applied for the detection and localization of neutral mucopolysaccharides, acid mucopolysaccharides, bound lipids, alkaline phosphatase enzymes, acid phosphatase enzymes, and DNA. The intensity of reactions increased as the age of foeti advanced. The goblet cells of the intestinal gland showed moderate reaction for Periodic acid schiff (PAS) and Acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPs) in the mid prenatal period (Gr. II) and intense to highly intense reaction in the late prenatal period (Gr. III). The cytoplasm of the epithelial cells exhibited negative to mild reaction for bound lipids in Gr. I, mild to moderate in Gr. II and mild to intense reaction in Gr. III. The luminal border of epithelial cells exhibited mild reaction in Gr. I & II, and moderate to intense reaction in Gr. III. The luminal border showed weak acid phosphatase reaction in Gr. I & II, and mild to moderate reaction in Gr. III. The nuclei of the epithelial cells showed mild to moderate Feulgen reaction in Gr. I & II, and intensely positive reaction in Gr. III.