Histochemical and immunohistochemical studies in udder of madras red ewes

Abstract

The present histochemical and immunohistochemical study was conducted in udder and teat of lactating and non-lactating adult Madras Red ewes (n=6). In lactating animals, the basement membrane of the alveoli, apical border of the alveolar epithelium, cytoplasmic secretory materials and myoepithelial cells were positive for PAS reaction. Basal lamina of the intralobular ducts, interlobular ducts and large lactiferous ducts ducts were positive for PAS reaction. The lumen of the alveolar contents showed a positive reaction in Von-Kossa method for calcium. Immunohistochemical staining of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 revealed the strongly positive reaction in epithelial lining. Alveoli, ductular system showed high positive staining in lactating animals than the non-lactating animals which showed week staining.