The histomorphometric study of adult ostrich oviduct in reproductive season.

The non-carinatae birds or ratites include the biggest birds known, the ostrich and the rhea. Inostrich, the reproductive age mainly begins when the female birds are 2-3 years old. The layingseason varies depending on the region and climate. During laying phase, the ostrich lays 90–100eggs. The eggs have an approximally size of 155􀂰125 mm and weigh about 1500 (1200-1800)gr. The oviduct of ostrich is divided into five anatomically distinguishable regions namelyinfundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. In this evaluation histologic aspects ofoviducts of four adult ostrich were subjected to study. Results indicated that the histology of theoviduct of ostrich largely conforms to their account of avian and Rhea. In the mucous layer:primary folds are seen with secondary folds. The pseudostratified columnar or tall simplecolumnar epithelium of the mucosal fold contains ciliated and non-ciliated cells (Mucosal cells).In subepithelial, there was lamina propria with branched tubular glands. The vagina has noglands in the lamina propria. Beyond the connective tissue of the lamina propria, the oviductwall has layer of smooth musculature. The muscular layer consists of two circularly andlongitudinally directions; the inner lamina of muscular layer consists of circulary disposed fiberssome of which continue into the subepithelial connective tissue to ultimately enter the core ofthe mucosal folds; the outer lamina contains longitudinally arranged fibers and is peripherallybound by a serous covering.