Histological and Histochemical Studies on the Teat of Malnad Gidda Cows of Karnataka

Abstract

The present study was carried out to observe the histological and histochemical details of the teat of lactating Malnad Gidda cows. The gland cistern continued downward as teat cistern and was lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The Furstenberg’s rosette was lined by simple columnar to cuboidal epithelium and at places was lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium. The sub epithelial stroma of the rosette was thrown into primary and
secondary folds projecting in to the lumen. The number of simple coiled tubular glands was more in the rosette as
compared to teat cistern. The gland lining epithelium was positive to acid mucopolysacharides. The teat canal with longitudinal folds lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium and presented cylindrical lumen. The keratin of the teat canal lining along with the lipid formed the keratin plug which prevented both leakage of milk and the entry of bacteria and thus protecting the mammary gland from mastitis.