DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES ON THE FOETAL HARDERIAN GLANDS OF THE ONE-HUMPED CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius)

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Abstract

Ninety-four foetal harderian glands of one-humped camel (60-1350 mm. CVR length) were used in the present study. The primordium of the gland was first observed in foetuses of 60 mm. CVR length, and was represented by a cellular proliferation of the conjunctival bulbar epithlium at the angle between the primordria of the fibrous coat and the nictitating membrane of the eye. At 150 mm CVR length, the primordium was repre sented by four canalized tubular structures constituting the anlage of the duct system of this gland. The primary elements of the glandular end-pieces were demonstrated in foetuses of 520 mm. CVR length as various cellular proliferations from the duct analges. The rate of prolifer ation of the end-pieces was greatly enhanced in foetuses of 1030 mm CVR length and reached its maximal potency in foetuses of 1150 mm CVR length. In full-term foetuses the glandular cells were differentiated into few dark and abundant light cells. The rate of growth and the volume p < /strong>ercentage of the parenchyma were relatively larger in male than in the female foetuses.