The present study included the collection of thyroid and parathyroid glands from the abattoirs of middle of Iraq in Summer and Winter seasons 2006-2007. The samples were fixed by 10% formalin and processed by the routine histological techniques, then stained by H and E, PAS and Van Gieson stain, then studied under light microscope. Dimensions were measured by ocular micrometer. Analysis of data was done by T-test.
The most striking result declared that the thyroid gland showed no differences in histological characters between both seasons as the buffalo was poor thermoregulator animal. It is tempting to speculate that the thyroid gland provide an adaptive advantage for survival of the buffalo in the nature arid environment. The parafollicular cells (C-cells) were sparse and found singly in the thyroid glands. Flat dark nuclei of myoepithelial cells were recognized around the thyroid follicles. This study was referred to the presence of accessory thyroid gland which contains simple follicular epithelium, and little amount of the colloid. Our current study revealed the presence of internal and external parathyroids. The oxyphilic cells in the internal parathyroid gland were not observed.
Note: this work in part of Master Science Thesis, submitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Baghdad University.