Histomorphometric study of testis and epididymis of adult one humped camel Camelus dromedarius in AL-Muthanna province

Objective; This study aimed to focus light on the morphological and histological features of the testis and epididymis of mature camel. Materials and method; the total samples were fourteen testis and epididymis from adult healthy camel males collected from AL-Muthanna abattoir, seven samples to each morphological and histological study. Grossly: The testis of camel was elongated oval located within scrotum in the perineal region and directed caudo-dorsally, the epididymis was divided into head, body and tail. The testis and epididymis in left were larger than that in right. Histologically: The testis consists of a mass of seminiferous tubules, surrounded by fibrous capsule called tunica albuginea; which composed of dense collagenous tissue. A trabecula, pass inward from the tunica albuginea to form a framework for support of the seminiferous tubules gives off several trabeculae into the interior of the testis. These trabeculae divide the testis into lobules. Each lobule contains many seminiferous tubules. This capsule is covered by a tunica serosa, the connective tissue of which blends with the tunica albuginea. The tunica albuginea is continuous with the loose collagenous tissue of the mediastinum testis. Tunica albuginea is also continuous with the testis into the lobule testis; seminiferous tubules and rete testis are surrounded by loose collagenous tissue; Sertoli cells are elongated cells with irregular outlines extending from the basement membrane to the lumen. Leydig cells occurred in the interstitial space between the seminiferous tubules. The seminiferous tubules are associated with a specialized type of myoid cell. These cells are located within the surrounding basal lamina. Spermatogonia undergo mitosis to produce A-spermatogonia, Intermediate spermatogonia and B spermatogonia. This cyclic mitotic division activate B spermatogonia to produce primary spermatocyte that pass through six different phases; preleptotene, leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis phases. The secondary spermatocyte enters the second meiotic division which gives rise to spermatids. Differentiated by fourteen stages which lead to form sperm; the epididymal duct was lined with pseudostratified columnar. We can conclude that the study has shown the significant differences in terms of morphometry, and histology of right and left testes of camel.