Morphology and histochemistry of the oviduct in the lizard, lacerta sicula. the annual cycle

Abstract

The oviduct of Lacerla sicula shows a typical annual cycle that is also found in otlicr Lacertidae, cliaractcrized by a short period of activity, in our case from April to July, and a long quiescent phase. In the mature oviduet different tracts are readily distinguishable: the infundiabulum, the tuba, the uterus and the vagina. The mucosa layer, folded in the tuba and in the vagina, is lined by a columnar epithelium in which ciliated and secreting cells alternate. These latter secrete acid mucins in the tuba and botli acid and neutral mucins in tile uterus and vagina. Two types of glands are present in the mucosa. The first, limited to the median part of the tuba, is formed of epithelial crypts wliosc cells can be involved in albumen secretion. The sceond type, spread in the terminal part of the tuba and along the uterine walls, is composed of big ceils filled with proteic granules which are utilized in the shell organization. After the deposition the oviduct becomes rapidly atrophic and preserves this aspect until tlie next May. All the regions of tile oviduct change, they are now lined by a thin mucous lamina in which there are numerous ciliated cells. Among the glands, only the uterine ones show a very little development and are, in any case, devoid of secretion granules. © 1973 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.