Histology and Histochemistry of Seminal Vesicles in Pig (Sus scrofa domestica)

Abstract

Seminal vesicles were serous, compound tubular glands enclosed by a thin capsule made of dense irregular connective tissue. Mucosa was thrown into longitudinal folds lined by tall columnar cells and occasionally few basal cells. The latter showed apical blebs occasionally. Two types of ducts intra lobular and inter lobular ducts were observed. Interstitial tissue was made up of collagen, reticular fibers, smooth muscle cells and mast cells.
Propria submucosa was predominantly of loose connective tissue with collagen, reticular and few elastic fibers. The tunica muscularis was thin and consisted of circularly arranged smooth muscle fibers around the seminal vesicles which extended into the mucosal folds. Secretory material in the glandular ducts was PAS positive while
negative for Alcian blue. Oil red O exhibited peripheral diffuse cytoplasmic reaction. Alkaline phosphatase activity was negligible, while moderate acid phosphatase activity was observed in the peripheral regions of cells lining the secretory lobules of the gland. Muscle fibers in connective septa were SDH positive.