Age Related Post Natal Histological Development of the Cauda Epididymis in Assam Goats (Capra Hircus)

The present study was conducted on the corpus epididymides of eighteen male Assam goats divided into six age groups on the basis of age viz. group-I “(0” day), group-II (2 months), group-III (4 months), group-IV (6 months), group-V (8 months) and group-VI (10 months) consisting of three animals in each group. The cauda epididymides were covered by a thick capsule composed principally of collagenous fbres. Population of smooth muscle cells were much more seen in the capsule. The epididymal tubules were surrounded by distinct basement membranes composed of reticular fbres. Circularly arranged smooth muscle cells formed 3 to 4 layers peripheral to the basement membrane of each tubule in all the male goats except in day-old kids (group-I). The epididymal tubules had unorganized interrupted epithelium in day-old kids (group-I), distinct tubules being established from 2 months of age (group-II). Well developed pseudo stratifed tubular epithelium was noticed from 4 month of age (group-III) onwards with principal, basal and apical cells. Clear cells were noticed more in the epithelium of the animals aged 8 and 10 months (group-V & VI) as compared to the animals of lower age groups. Occasional migratory cells were also found. Secretory material devoid of sperm cells was observed in the lumina of the tubules in 2 and 4 months old kids. Sperm cells were observed in the lumina of the epididymides from 6 month of age (group-IV). The nerve fbres were observed in the capsule.