THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

is recommended that two years old Philippine buffalo bulls
should not yet be put to service.
Keywords: histology, testis, epididymis, Philippine water
buffalo, Bubalus bubalis
*The Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 40 (1): 1-
9, 2003.
A-42
GROSS AND HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION
OF THE EPIDIDYMIS OF THE PHILIPPINE CARABAO
(Bubalus bubalis)*
C. P. Maala, Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the
Philippines Los Baños
P. G. Malicdem, Student
The gross anatomy and histology of the epididymis of the
Philippine carabao were studied. The bubaline epididymis
was divided into three regions: head, body and tail. The
head was a crescentic structure closely attached to the
medial surface of the dorsal extremity of the testis. It was
continued distally by the cylindrical body that was
incompletely attached to the testis. A narrow space, the
testicular bursa, separated the epididymis from the testis.
The body was continued at the ventral extremity of the
testis as the enlarged and rounded tail. The tail was attached
to the testicle by the proper ligament of the testis. The length
of head, body and tail regions ranged from 4.5 to 5 cm; 5 to
8 and 1.4 to 2.0 cm, respectively, while the width ranged
from 1.1 to 2.5 cm (head), 1.0 to 1.5 cm (body) and 1.5 to
2.1 cm (tail). Histologically, the bubaline epididymis was
enclosed by a thick tunica albuginea composed of dense
irregular connective tissue that increased in thickness
toward the ductus deferens. The interstitial connective tissue
contained nerve fibers, bloods vessels, collagen and
reticular fibers, fibroblast, lymphocytes and macrophages.
The ducts varied in size and shape. There were more
spermatozoa in the tail than in the head and body regions.
The head of epididymis consisted of epididymal segment
of ductuli efferentes and the initial portion of the ductus
epididymis. The ductuli efferentes were lined by a low
pseudostratified epithelium consisting of columnar cells,
basal cells and lymphocytes. The ductuli efferentes were
surrounded by smooth muscle cells and loose connective
tissue. The epididymis duct was lined by a pseudostratified
columnar epithelium consisting of principal cells, basal
cells, apical cells and lymphocytes. The epididymal duct
was surrounded by smooth muscle layer that increased in
thickness toward the ductus deferens. The height of the
principal columnar cells also decreased toward the tail
region.
ANATOMY
Keywords: epididymis, Philippine carabao, Bubalus
bubalis, gross anatomy, histology
*Proceedings of the Philippine Society of Animal Science
(PSAS), Annual Convention (1997), Metro Manila,
Philippines, pp. 256-273.
A-43
THE ANATOMY OF THE PERMANENT AND
TEMPORARY INCISORS OF THE PHILIPPINE
CARABAO (Bubalus bubalis)*
C. P. Maala, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University
of the Philippines Los Baños
R. D. Domingo, Student
R. J. T. Ducusin, Instructor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of
the Philippines Los Baños
The incisors of 45 carabao skulls were examined and
described. Twenty specimens showed temporary dentition
while the remaining 25 had permanent. The temporary and
permanent dental formulae of the carabao are 2(Di 0
4 Dc0
0 Dp3
3 )
= 20 and 2(I 0
4 C0
0 P3
3 M3
3
) = 32 respectively. The incisors of
the carabao were wide and long. The characteristic long crown
and the less evident neck gave the bubaline incisor a
semblance of an equine incisor. The temporary incisor were
smaller in all aspects than their permanent counterparts. Coronal
overlapping and the degree of curvature of the arrangement in
temporary incisors in situ were greater than in permanent teeth
showing slight wearing, until coronal overlapping was lost and
the arrangement changed to a straight line in leveled incisors.
The temporary incisors were typical brachydonts, the crown
being shorter than the root while the permanent teeth resembled
a hypsodont tooth. The neck of temporary incisors was more
distinct than in permanent teeth. Based on the degree of attrition,
the dental star at first appeared elongated transversely and
then assumed a butterfly shape. Later it became rectangular
with rounded corners and finally, circular. The height of the
crown decreased toward the midline and the occlusal surface
of the incisors was concave with the labial border higher than
the lingual. The labial and lingual surfaces of the crown were
marked by longitudinal grooves. A medial and lateral grooves
also marked the roots of the incisors. The roots tapered from
the neck to the apex in temporary incisors and stubby with a
blunt tip in leveled teeth.
Keywords: anatomy, permanent incisors, temporary
incisors, Philippine carabao, Bubalus bubalis
*The Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 25(2): 7-
14, 1988.
A-44
THE ANATOMY OF THE PERMANENT AND
TEMPORARY CHEEK TEETH OF THE PHILIPPINE
CARABAO*
17