Morphology of the Spleen in the Camel's Fetus (Camelus dromedarius): Gross Anatomy, Histology and Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies

A.M., Marwa-Babiker; K.M., Alkhodair; Ali, Abdelhay M.; A.M.A., Elseory; H.B., Zolain; S.Y., Al-Ramadan; T.A., Althnaian

doi:10.21608/javs.2023.219602.1250

Morphology of the Spleen in the Camel's Fetus (Camelus dromedarius): Gross Anatomy, Histology and Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Khartoum-North, Sudan

² Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

³ Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan

⁴ Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Nyala, Sudan

10.21608/javs.2023.219602.1250

Abstract

The spleen is essential for immunological responses to infections that are carried in the blood. The study aimed to investigate the gross anatomy, topography, histology and scanning electron microscopy of the spleen in the dromedary camel fetus (Camelus dromedarius). Fifteen camel foetuses aged 87–418 days were used to examine the prenatal development of the spleen. Standard anatomical, histological, and scanning electron microscopy procedures were applied. Anatomically, the spleen was situated medially to the ribs, caudally to the stomach, and on the caudolateral side of the abdominal cavity. It had C-shaped surfaces with rough surfaces and serrated edges. In the first and second trimesters, the spleen was dark brown and grayish in the third trimester. Histologically, the capsule was made of very thin mesenchyme connective tissue, and the parenchyma had a sporadic distribution of many cell types in the first trimester. The capsule displayed thick, dense, irregular connective tissue with descending trabeculae made up of collagen fibers and bundles of smooth muscle fibres in the second and third trimesters. The parenchyma in the second and third trimesters was presented as white and red pulps. Megakaryocytes were detected in all samples. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the spleen is lined with mesothelial cells separated by reticular connective tissue fibers. The reticular cells in the cordal gaps, marginal zones, and parietal sheath were relatively small in the first trimester of gestation. In the second and third trimesters, the reticular cells formed a network where dendritic macrophages and lymphoblasts were present. Medium-sized and tiny lymphocytes were seen. The results revealed that the spleen of the dromedary camel fetus was shown to have well-developed characteristics in the second and third trimesters of gestation. Also, the development of the camel’s spleen was comparable to that of other mammalian species but with unique traits and characteristics.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Anatomy and Histology

References

ABDELLATIF, A.M. 2021. Structure of the Eurasian moorhen spleen: A comprehensive study using gross anatomy, light, and transmission electron microscopy. Microscopy Research & Technique 84 (8): 1696-1709. https://DOI:10.1002/jemt.23728.

AL-RAMADAN, S.Y. 2022. Tissues and organs of the immune system of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius): a comparative review. Journal of Camel Practice and Research 29 (3): 265-279. http://DOI:10.5958/2277-8934.2022.00037.6.

BANCROFT, D.G., and STEVENS, A., 2008. Theory and Practice of Histological Techniques. 6^th ed. Bath press, Avan. Churchill Livingston. Edinburgh. London and New York. https://dl.uswr.ac.ir.

BELLO, A., ONU, J. E., ONYEANUSI, B.I., SONFADA, M. L., UMARU, M.A., DANMAIGORO, A., and HENA, S. A., 2019. Unique Anatomy of the Spleen of One Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius): A Review. Open Access Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Biosciences 3 (3): 294-298. https://DOI:10.23880/jhua-16000137.

BELLO, A., ONU, J.E., FAWAZ, A.M., HENA, S.A., SONFADA, M.L., UMARU, M.A., and SHEHU, S.A., 2016. Prenatal development of the spleen of one-humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius): A comparative histological study. Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science 6 (8): 263-269. http:// www.scholarly-journals.com/SJAS.

BURKE, J.S., and SIMON, G.T., 1970. Electron Microscopy of Spleen 1. Anatomy and Microcirculation. American Journal of Pathology 127-154. https:// PMID: 5414015.

CESTA, M.F. 2006. Normal Structure, Function, and Histology of the Spleen. Toxicologic Pathology 34: 455-465. https://doi:10.1080/01926230600867743.

CHEUNG, H.T., and NADAKAVUKAREN, M.J., 1983. Age-dependent changes in the cellularity and ultrastructure of the spleen of Fischer F344 rats. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development 22: 23-33. https://doi:10.1016/0047-6374(83)90004-0.

ELWISHY, A.B., HEMEIDA, N.A., OMER, M.A., MOBARAK, A.M., and ELSAYED, M.A.I., 1981. Functional changes in the pregnant camel with special reference to fetal growth. British Veterinary Journal 137: 527-537.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1935(17)31592-0.

EURELL, J.A., and FRAPPIER, B.L., 2006. Dellmann's Textbook of Veterinary Histology. 6^th ed. Blackwell publishing. 147-150. https://PMC1831503.

FUJITA, T., and USHIKI, T., 1992. Scanning electron microscopic observations of the immunodefensive systems with special reference to the surface morphology of the non-lymphoid cells. Archives of histology and cytology 55: 105-13. https://DOI:10.1679-AOHC.55.SUPPL_105.

GNANADEVI, R., SENTHILKUMAR, S., KANNAN, T.A., and RAMESH, G., 2019. Comparative Histoarchitectural Study of Splenic Components in Sheep and Goat. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 8(5): 1387-1394.
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2019.805.158

HATABA, Y., KIRINO, Y., and SUZUKI, T., 1981. Scanning electron microscopic study of the red pulp of mouse spleen. Journal of Electron microscopy 30 (1): 46-56. https://BMID:7288349.

JAJI, A.Z., SAIDU, A.S., MAHRE, M.B., YAWULDA, M.P., GIRGIRI, I.A., TOMAR, P., and DA'U, F., 2019. Morphology, morphometry and histogenesis of the prenatal dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) spleen. Macedonian Veterinary Review42 (2): 141-149. https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2019-0018.

KASHIMURA, M., and FUJITA, T., 1987. Scanning electron microscopy study of human spleen: relationship between the microcirculation and functions 1 (2): 841-851. https://BMID3616578.

KHALEL, E.M. 2010. Anatomical and histological study of the spleen in iraqi sheep (Awasi sheep). Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research 10 (2): 163-171. https://DOI:10.33762/bvetr.2010.55061.

KHALIL, M., SULTANA, S.Z., RAHMAN, M., MANNAN, S., AHMED, S., ARA, Z.G., and CHOWDHURY, A.I., 2009. Study of prenatal and postnatal development of spleen of Gallus domesticus (Deshi chicken). Mymensingh Medical Journal 18, 169–174. https://BMID:19623142.

LEWIS, S.M., WILLIAMS, A., and EISENBARTH, S.C., 2019. Structure-function of the immune system in the spleen. Science Immunology 1; 4 (33): 10-1126. https://DOI:10.5455/jva.20141025045543.

MAINA, M.M., USENDE, I.L., IGWENAGU, E., ONYICHE, T.E., YUSUF, Z.M., and NTUNG, N.O., 2014. Gross, Histological and Histomorphometric Studies on the Spleen of One Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Found in the Semi-Arid Region of North eastern Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary Advances 4 (10): 703-711. https://DOI:10.5455/jva.20141025045543.

MARCOUX, G., LAROCHE, A., ROMERO, J.E., and BOILARD, E., 2021. Role of platelets and megakaryocytes in adaptive immunity. Platelets 32 (3): 340-351. https://DOI:10.1080/09537104.2020.1786043.

MARIEN, G.J., and MCFADDEN, K.D., 1970. Splenic megakaryocytes and circulating platelets in pregnant rats. American Journal of Anatomy 128(2): 225-33. https// DOI:10.1002/aja.1001280207.

MARWA-BABIKER, A.M., ALTHNAIAN, T.A., and ALI, A.M., 2022. Histological study of prenatal development of the spleen in camel (Camelus dromedarius). Journal of camel practice and research 29 (2): 251-255. https://doi.org/10.5958/2277-8934.2022.00035.2.

MEBIUS, R.E., and KRAAL, G., 2005. Structure and function of the spleen. Review. Nature Reviews Immunology 5 (8): 606-16. https://www.nature.com.

NAWAL, A.N., and MAHER, M.A., 2018. Gross Anatomical, Radiographic and Ultra-structural Identification of Splenic Vasculature in some Ruminants (Camel, Buffalo, Calf, Sheep and Goat). International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences 5 (2): 44-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijarbs.2018.05.02.006.

POLÁK, Š., GÁLFIOVÁ, P., and VARGA, I., 2009. Ultrastructure of human spleen in transmission and scanning electron microscope. Biologia 64: 402-408. https://link.springer.com.

POLLIACK, A., LAMPEN, N., CLARKSON, B.D., DEHARVEN, E., BENTWICH, Z., SIEGAL, F.P., and KUNKEL, H.G., 1973. Identification of human B and T lymphocytes by scanning electron microscopy. The Journal of Experimental Medicine 138: 607-624. https://DOI:10.1084/jem.138.3.607.

RAHMAN, N., TANDON, R., GHAUS, F., MOINUDDIN, A., AKRAM, W., and FARUQI, N.A., 2016. Comparative Anatomy of Spleen: Histomorphometric study in Human, Goat, Buffalo, Rabbit and Rat. Academia Anatomica International 2 (1): 28-32. https://DOI:10.21276/aanat.2016.2.1.6.

RAJANI, C.V., INDU, V.R., PATKI, H.S., SURJITH, K.P., and PRADEEP, M., 2021. Morphology of Spleen in Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus). Indian Journal of Veterinary Anatomy 33 (1): 29-31. https://epubs.icar.org.in.

SURI, S., SASAN, J.S., KAMAL, S.K.S., and DIBYENDU C.D., 2017. Comparative gross and histomorphological studies on the spleen of sheep and goat of Jammu region of India. Exploratory Animal and Medical Research 7 (2): 179-183. https://www.cabdirect.org.

TAHER, S., MOUSTAFA, M.S., and BERG, R., 1967. Prenatal growth of some organs in the camel (Camelus dromedarius). II. Relations of liver and spleen weight to body and heart weight and to one another. Zentralbl Veterinarmed A 14 (9): 819-824. https://PMID: 4972048.

THANVI, P.K., JOSHI, S., and SINGH, D., 2020. Histomorphological studies on spleen of sheep (ovis aries). Veterinary Practitioner 21(1): 48-53. https://www.cabdirect.org.

UDROIU, I. 2017. The phylogeny of the spleen. The quarterly review of biology 92: (4): 411-443. https://www.jstor.org.

Van Krieken, J.H.J.M. 1997. Histology of the spleen: structure and cellular distribution in the normal spleen. Current Diagnostic Pathology 4 (2): 100-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0968-6053(05)80089-4

Weiss, L. 1974. A scanning electron microscopic study of the spleen. Blood 43 (5): 665-691. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.V43.5.665.665.

XU, M., LI, W., YANG, S., SUN, X., TARIQUE, I., YANG, P., and CHEN, Q., 2020. Morphological characterization of postembryonic development of blood–spleen barrier in duck. Poultry Science 99, 3823-3830. https://doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.012.

ZAPATA, A., LECETA, J., and BARRUTIA, M.G., 1981. Ultrastructure of splenic white pulp of the turtle, (Mauremys caspica). Cell and Tissue Research 220 (4): 845-55. https://DOI: 10.1007/BF00210466.

ZIDAN, M., KASSEM, A., and PABST, R., 2000. Megakaryocytes and platelets in the spleen of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedaries). Anatatomia Histologia Embryologia 29 (4): 221-4. https://DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0264.2000.00268.