Abstract

This study aimed to compare the histomorphometric and histochemical features of the duodenum twenty sheep (n=10) and rabbit (n=10) adult males. The samples were collected from slaughterhouse and markets of Misan and were used for histological studies of two types of stains, hematoxylin and eosin, and special stains (Periodic acid Schiff stains). In histological approach, in both animals, the wall of the duodenum consists of four layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa). In both animals, the mucosa of the duodenum lined by simple columnar epithelium and has number of villi compose of absorptive (enterocytes) and goblet cells only in duodenum, the submucosa occupied by Brunner’s glands. Brunner’s glands are varying in secretory unit acinai in rabbit serous and mucous acini while in sheep the mucus acini. There is significant difference in thickness of layers between sheep and rabbits. Mucosa, sub mucosa and muscularis layers in sheep showed more thickness than in rabbits, but there is non- significant (P>0.05) differences between the thickness of the serosa in sheep and rabbit in the duodenum. On the other hand, the columnar cells showed a weakly reaction with Periodic acid Schiff stain (PAS), but goblet cells in sheep and rabbits shown strong reaction with PAS. While the Brunner’s glands were strong reaction with PAS in sheep and weakly reaction with PAS in rabbit. In conclusion, this study showed that sheep and rabbits have similarities and differences in the duodenum; that is, the layers of this organ has different thicknesses and respond differently to periodic acid Schiff stain. © 2020, Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. All Rights Reserved