Histological study of cartilaginous cells in the body of penis in one-humped camel (camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

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