THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

methods. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules
increased with age, the increase being abrupt at 10½
months of age, then became more or less stabilized at 25
months of age. Intratubular cells remained primodial cells
in 1½ to 4½ months old animals and then these gradually
differentiated to spermatogonia in 8 months old animals
which could indicate the start of spermatogenesis. Lumen
formation manifested its first clear-cut appearance in 15
months old animals. With advance in age, the lumina also
increased in size. The interstitial cells were most numerous
in 1½ month old carabull testes and decreases in number
as the animal grew older until 8 months of age. Regeneration
of the interstitial cells occurred when the animals approached
pre-pubertal stage at 10½ months of age.
Keywords: carabulls, interstitial cells, post-natal
development, pre-pubertal stage, seminferous tubules,
testes
*Abstracts of Completed Researches (1983), PCRDC-
PCARRD, UPLB. Also in PCC-OED, DA Abstracts:
Water Buffalo Researches in the Philippines 1981-1995
(1996) p. 62. Also in Philippine Journal of Veterinary Animal
Science 1984, 10 (3 & 4):40 (Abstr.). Also in Annotated
Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and
Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p.
367.
A-58
HISTOLOGICAL OBSERVATION OF FOLLICULAR
ATRESIA IN SWAMP BUFFALO*
M. B. Ocampo, PhD Student, Hokkaido University
A. T. de Asis, Student, CVM, CLSU
L. C. Ocampo, M. S. Student, Hokkaido University
H. Kanagawa, Professor, JFVM, Hokkaido University
Swamp buffalo ovaries were collected and fixed for
histological examination of follicular atresia. The follicles
were classified according to size into three groups: 1.0-4.0
mm (small, 4.1-9.9 mm (medium) and 10.0 mm and above
(large) in diameter. Also, the size of the corpus luteum on
the surface of each pair of ovary was used to estimate the
stage of estrus cycle. Of 312 follicles examined, 286, 18
and 8 were classified as small, medium and large follicles.
Of these, 238 (83.2%), 10 (55.5%) and 8 (100%),
respectively were observed to manifest signs of atresia.
The number of follicles examined under follicular and luteal
phase of estrus cycle were 168 (53.8%) and 144 46.2%),
respectively. Of these, 120 (71.04%) and 136 (94.4%),
were found to have signs of atresia. The results presented
here provided the basic information for studying follicular
atresia in swamp buffalo. That follicle diameter and stage
of the estrus cycle are both a convenient and appropriate
ANATOMY
basis to use in the classification and description of the
course of atresia.
Keywords: follicular atresia, swamp buffalo ovaries
*Buffalo Bulletin. 1994. 13:51-55. Also in PCC-OED, DA
Abstracts: Water Buffalo Researches in the Philippines
1981-1995 (1996), p.66. Also in Annotated Bibliography on
Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and Poultry
(Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p. 356.
A-59
A STUDY ON SOME HISTOCHEMICAL CHARAC-
TERISTICS OF THE OVARY OF SEXUALLY
MATURE NON-PREGNANT PHILIPPINE CARABAO
(Bubalus bubalis)*
T. G. Pallasigue, Student
The results of some histochemical studies on the ovaries
of fifty (50) sexually mature Philippine carabao are
presented in the study. During the follicular phase, the
intensity of PAS reaction was persistent in the zona
pellucida and Call-Exner’s bodies of the growing follicle
compared with the other cellular structures of the ovary.
Variations in the PAS reaction were observed in the
basement membrane and liquor folliculi. These structures
gave an intense PAS reaction during their developmental
phase but weakens as the follicle approaches maturity.
During the luteal phase, developing and regressing corpus
luteum gave an intense PAS reaction than the fully
developed corpus luteum. However, this phase showed
less intense PAS reaction than the follicular phase. PASpositive
materials were observed to be saliva resistant.
Using the silver impregnation and mallory’s
phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin stains, the different
connective tissue elements in the ovary were identified
and differentiated. In both stains used, collagen fibers
were observed in the tunica albuginea, connective tissues
surrounding the corpus luteum and in the stroma of the
ovary. Reticular fibers were abundant in the ovarian stroma
and theca interna and theca externa. Elastic fibers, which
gave similar reaction as collagen were present in the walls
of blood vessels.
Keywords: Philippine carabao, non-pregnant,
histochemical characteristics of ovaries
*Undergraduate Thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1979.
A-60
HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES
OF THE INTERNAL PARATHYROID OF THE MALE
23