Light and electron microscopic studies on the sperm host glands in domestic hen

The present work was conducted on oviduct of six domestic hens to observe the histomorphochemical and ultrastructural details of sperm host glands (SHG) located at uterovaginal junction. The tissue samples were collected from the uterovaginal junction (UVJ) of the oviduct in 10% NBF and 2.5% glutaralehyde solutions and processed for histological and electron microscopic studies. The sperm host glands extended into lamina propria of UVJ as oval, rounded and straight tubules. The proximal part of glandular neck was lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and distal part with non ciliated columnar cells. The ciliated cells showed cilia and microvilli on the apical surface in the neck region, whereas the non ciliated cells present in the distal part of SHG had oval or elongated nuclei in their basal part and were studded with some of the microvilli towards their luminal surface. These glands were surrounded by the smooth muscle cells and nerve fibers. Histochemical studies revealed a moderate to strong reaction of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides and lipids whereas reaction for basic proteins was weak in the supranuclear part of sperm host gland.