Journal of Camel Practice and Research

The present study was carried out to gain species-specific data on density, distribution of cardiac mast cell and the relationship between mast cells density (MCD) and microvessels density (MVD) in the heart of camel embryo. Specimens were stained with either toluidine blue or immunohistochemically to identify mast cells.

Rare mast cells were observed in the heart of camel embryo in the present study (ranging from 16.98±6.86 to 25.45±11.49 cells/cm²). The most characteristic feature of these cells was that they located predominantly in the perivascular region and rarely scattered among the cardiac myocytes. The highest MCD was found in the right ventricle. Significant differences of MCD were not found between the right and left ventricle. There was a positive correlation between MCD and MVD in ventricle. Determination of the mast cells density, distribution and the spatial relationship with microvessels throughout the heart may contribute to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of the various cardiovascular diseases of camel embryo.