Histological and histochemical studies on the nasal cavity of gaddi sheep

Nasal cavities from adult Gaddi sheep (n=26) were used for histological and histochemical studies during the year 2014–15. Nasal cavities were conical shaped passages with slightly bloated centre. The nasal cavity had dorsal, ventral and middle turbinate bones. The respiratory epithelium was localized on the mucosal surface of dorsal, middle and ventral nasal turbinate. Nasal turbinate was lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Posteriorly mucosal epithelium showed ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The mean epithelial thickness of the anterior, middle and posterior parts of the dorsal turbinate were 119.55±4.91, 103.96±3.36 and 90.45±3.64 μm, respectively. The goblet cells showed strong reaction for carbohydrate and acid mucopolysaccharides. The epithelial thickness in the anterior portion of middle turbinate was 102.9±4.71μm. The ventral turbinate was lined with ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The mean epithelial thickness of anterior part of turbinate was 112.50±2.91 μm. The relative number of goblet cells on outer surface of scroll was more than the inner. Submucosa had small clusters of tubular glands having more of mucus dominating acini and a few serous acini. Median nasal septum showed predominantly acid mucopolysaccharides granules. Strong periodic acid Schiff-positive reaction was also demonstrated by the goblet cells. The study concluded that epithelial thickness was higher in anterior part of nasal turbinate and Gaddi sheep has higher epithelial thickness than sheep of plain region.