[Histological study of stomach in Caspian pony]

ABSTRACT

To determine morphological and histological characteristics of stomach in Caspian pony. Observational study. Five mature Caspian pony. A histological study was carried out on the stomach of Caspian pony. one centimeter from different parts of stomach was taken and immediately fixed in 10% formalin. After fixation they were transferred into the tissue processor, paraffin blocks made and thin sections of [five micron] prepared. The tissue sections were stained with H and E. Descriptive study. Stomach of the Caspian pony is composed of cardiac, fondic and pyloric regions. In the internal surface of stomach two distinguishable parts were observed according to their color an mucosa. While its cranial part was paler and non-glandular [fore stomach]. Its posterior part was darker and glandular. A marginal fold as margo plicatus was located between them. Forestomach has stratified squamous epithelium deep, medial and superficial regions. Glands were not seen in lamina propria and submucosa, glands were seen. In the posterior part, the epithelium is simple columnar and lamina propria has many gastric glands, besides of some mucosal glands of deep layer. Cranial part of stomach can be considered as fore stomach because of lacking secretory glands, its structure is similar to esophagus. In the forestomach of Caspian pony, presence of three distinguishable cellular regions is a pecularity. Furthermore, its columnar cells with mucos secretion and presence of mucosal glands in the deep layer of lamina propria are characteristics of forestomach in Caspian pony