Microscopic observations on the muzzle skin of buffaloes (Bos bubalis)

• Published in: The Journal of agricultural science 1970-06, Vol.74 (3), p.549-554
• Main Authors: Chandra, G., Bharadwaj, M. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-8596; 1469-5146
• DOI: 10.1017/S0021859600017676

Sections of muzzle skin were studied from twelve Murrah buffaloes including seven females and five males ranging from 1½ years to mature animals up to 7 years old. The 130–1350 μ thick epidermis of muzzle rested on a PAS positive, argyrophilic basement membrane. The stratum lucidum was lacking. The stratum granulosum could not be identified in some animals. In such animals, a wavy, deeply eosinophilic layer was seen in the area of stratum granulosum and stratum lucidum. Lamellated nerve endings, 40–45 μ in diameter, and arteriovenous anastomoses, frequently appeared in the reticular layer of the muzzle dermis. The muzzle glands were lobulated, compound tubuloacinar and resembled the salivary glands morphologically. Their acini were strongly PAS reactive and acidic mucopolysaccharide positive. While intercellular secretory canaliculi were present, myoepithelial cells could not be observed. It is suggested that fine bundles of striated muscle fibres which run perpendicular to the skin surface might function to expel gland secretions. Most gland-cell nuclei were intensely Feulgen reactive and the cells revealed a moderate alkaline phosphatase activity. The intralobular duct system of the muzzle glands consisted of PAS negative intercalated ducts and mildly PAS reactive striated tubules. The simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium of the striated tubule changed to pseudostratified columnar type toward the larger interlobular ducts which were lined by stratified columnar epithelium. Toward their opening, the excretory ducts had stratified squamous epithelium. The lumina of the ducts frequently contained PAS positive and colloidal iron reactive secretory mass.