Histomorphochemical and Ultrastructural Studies on Thyroid Gland of Murrah Buffalo (Bubalis bubalis)

Buffalo is an important livestock of India that significantly contributes to the rural Indian economy through the milk and meat production. Murrah is a renowned and valuable dairy breed of buffalo found in Haryana and Punjab. The thyroid gland secretes thyroxin, triiodothyronine and calcitonin hormones which are crucial for body metabolism, growth, thermoregulation and production. So, the present study was aimed to explore histomorphochemical and ultrastructural details of thyroid gland of Murrah buffalo.

Total twelve samples of thyroid gland of adult Murrah buffalo were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed for acetone-benzene schedule for routine paraffin block preparation. The paraffin sections were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin and other special stains while fresh cryo-sections were used for demonstration of lipids. Three tissue samples were fixed in Karnovsky’s fixative and processed for ultrastructural studies.

Histologically, thyroid parenchyma was enveloped by a thick capsule. Follicles appeared in a wide range of sizes and shapes and the follicular epithelium was made up of both follicular and parafollicular cells. Vacuoles were mainly observed in the active follicles. Ultimobranchial follicles were found in various places. Colloid exhibited strong PAS reactivity, indicating the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharides. Capsule, Blood vessels and follicular cells all displayed moderate to strong reactions for the presence of basic proteins. Ultrastructurally, the follicular cells exhibited a large number of secretory vesicles, whereas parafollicular cells contained a small number of secretory granules.