Histochemical localization of mucopolysaccharides, proteins and lipids in ovarian tissue: A seasonal study

Abstract

The present research work was conducted to study histochemical distribution of mucopolysaccharides, basic proteins
and lipids in ovarian tissue during different seasons of year. For this purpose, 100 ovaries of adult buffaloes during
different seasons (20 in each season) of year, viz. winter (November - January), spring (February – March), summer
(April - June), rainy (July - August) and autumn (September - October) were collected from slaughterhouse. The paraffin
sections of 5–6 μm were cut and stained with Periodic Acid Schiff, Alcian blue and bromphenol blue to localize neutral
and acid mucopolysaccharides and basic proteins whereas for demonstration of lipids, cryostat sections of fresh ovarian
tissue were cut and stained with Sudan black B.The distribution of different histochemical moieties in ovarian tissue did
not vary among seasons but differs according to the physiological status of the ovary. A strong reaction of acid
mucopolysaccharides in atretic follicles may be an indicator of follicular atresia. Increased amount of sudanophilic
lipids was observed in primordial, primary follicles and luteal cells of corpus luteum.