Abstract
The crypts and mucus in the bovine cervix were observed morphologically by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to confirm the site of mucus secretion. LM observations of bovine cervix indicated that the epithelium consisted of a single layer of columnar cells, which invaginated deeply into the lamina propria, forming crypts with branches. Epithelial cells of the crypts were taller and stained slightly darker with both PAS and Alcian blue, as compared with those of the surface epithelium. The epithelial cells were mucus celltyped in appearance and their nuclei were situated near the basement membrane. SEM observations indicated that many openings in the crypts, seen as hollows (approximately 3.5μm in diameter), existed on the mucosal surface. A few holes were occasionally found in deeper parts of the cryptal lumina, showing the branching of the crypt. The SEM observations of the cervical mucus revealed that long, fibrous materials formed a network structure, and ran in parallel. The mean diameter of the fibrous material was approximately 760Å.
