Seasonal histomorphology of basophils in the hypophysis cerebri of Gaddi goats: A comparative study between the year 2001 and the Present in the context of climate change.

Abstract

Climate change may alter endocrine function and reproductive physiology in livestock adapted to specific agro-climatic regions. The present study investigated the histomorphological characteristics and seasonal variations of basophil cell populations in the pars distalis of the adenohypophysis in Gaddi goats and compared present observations with data from 2001 to evaluate possible climate-related changes. Pituitary glands were collected from Gaddi goats during different seasons from animals slaughtered for routine commercial purposes. Histomorphological and histochemical evaluations of folliculotrophs, luteotrophs, thyrotrophs, and corticotrophs were performed using Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS) staining and Crossman’s modification of Mallory’s trichrome stain. Cellular distribution, morphometry (cellular and nuclear diameters), and relative percentages of each basophil population were recorded and compared seasonally and with corresponding data from 2001. Folliculotrophs were predominantly localized in the rostro-dorsal and rostro-ventral pars distalis and showed a significant increase from spring (36.0±0.53%) to autumn (41.7±0.42%), with maximum cellular (10.3±0.12 µm) and nuclear (5.13±0.03 µm) diameters observed during autumn. Luteotrophs were concentrated in the rostro-ventral and mid-median zones, with the highest proportion during the monsoon (37.8±0.54%) and the lowest in winter (30.14±0.48%). Thyrotrophs constituted 19–26% of the basophil population and exhibited the highest proportion in winter (26.22±0.83%) and the lowest in autumn (19.5±0.42%). Corticotrophs were primarily distributed in the zona tuberalis, with maximum abundance during the monsoon (3.90±0.26%) and minimum abundance in spring (2.01±0.36%). Comparative analysis with 2001 data revealed noticeable alterations in cellular dimensions and seasonal patterns of basophil populations, suggesting long-term adaptive responses to increasing temperature and humidity. The findings demonstrate significant seasonal and temporal changes in pituitary basophil morphology in Gaddi goats. The observed alterations over the last two decades may reflect climate change-associated adaptations of the hypothalamo–pituitary axis, with potential implications for endocrine regulation, reproductive performance, and overall productivity in this indigenous breed.