An innovative histochemical analysis of Aksaray Malakli dog esophagus by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

The esophagus of the Aksaray Malakli Dog, a local breed, was examined using macroanatomical, histological, histochemical and SEM methods.

The study examined 8 adult Aksaray Malakli dogs (4 males, 4 females) that died of various reasons and were brought to Aksaray University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital for necropsy. Macroanatomical examination of the esophagus revealed that the esophagus started from the pharynx and was divided into three parts: pars cervicalis, pars thoracalis and pars abdominalis and ended in the cardia of the gaster. It was observed that the esophageal glands seen in the submucosa were located along the entire length of the organ and consisted of many mucous-character corpus glandulae and very few serouscharacter- secreting corpus glandulae.

The glands’ secretion characteristics in the Aksaray Malakli dog's esophagus were determined using three different staining methods (AB pH: 2.5; AB pH: 1.0 and PAS). Gordon Sweeth's (GS) staining method showed good staining of reticular fibers. A positive reaction was observed throughout the entire organ, except for the lamina epithelialis, the wall of blood vessels and muscle tissue. The 4 layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and adventitia) histologically distinguished in the cross-section of Aksaray Malakli dog esophagus were also distinguished in the scanning electron microscopy findings. Esophageal glands in the submucosa, muscle bundles in the muscularis layer and abundant blood vessels in the adventitia were also observed. The esophagus examined shows significant histological similarities with those of other mammals, making this species reliable as an experimental model for digestive testing and research.