Histological study of cartilaginous cells in the body of penis in one-humped camel [Camelus dromedaries]

ABSTRACT

Several investigations showed cartilaginous cells in fibrous tissue of the free part of the penis in one humped camel. The aim of this study was accurate assessment of existence of cartilaginous cells in penis shaft of one-humped camel. Six camel penises from matured camels more than 3 years-old were collected from an abattoir. Different specimens were prepared from each penis and kept in 10% formalin container for fixation. After passing different stages of histotechnique methods, several slides were prepared from each specimen, stained with Haematoxylin Eosin and studied. Results showed that the majority of cartilaginous cells were inside the collagen fibers of tunica albuginea and around corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum of penis and their distributions were dissimilar in different parts of the penis shaft. This survey further showed that in penis shaft length, the majority of cartilaginous cells were inside tunica albuginea, which is surrounded by corpus spongiosum and particularly, the ventral surface of urethra. The number of cartilaginous cells decreased gradually from distal extremity towards the proximal extremity of the body of the penis and increased gradually from external layer of tunica albuginea towards the internal layer of tunica albuginea and centre of corpus cavernosum penis. Existence of cartilaginous cells inside the leaf tissue of the penis was seen with aging and puberty