Ultrastructural Study of Lung in Adult Non-Descript Indian Goat (Capra hircus)

Abstract

Bronchioles and alveoli were studied in the lung of Indian goat by means of both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Epithelium of terminal bronchiole was consisted of two types of cells. Ciliated cells were cuboidal having short cilia, round mitochondria and many vacuoles. Non-ciliated cells or
Clara cells protruded into lumen and contained numerous large mitochondria and membrane bound inclusions. Respiratory bronchioles were characterized by low cuboidal epithelium. The cells in this region contained large mitochondria, well-developed Golgi apparatus and unusual tubular structures. The epithelium of alveolar duct and alveoli was composed of type-I and type-II pneumocytes. Classical type-I pneumocyte was squamous having scanty cytoplasm devoid of cellular organelles. Type-II pneumocytes were characterized by the presence of lamellar bodies and numerous mitochondria.