Secretion of Mucins in the Fallopian Tube Epithelium of the Bat Taphozous kachhensis Dobson

Abstract

Taphozous kachhensis is one of the largest Indian microchiropteran bats with a prominent gular pouch on the ventral side of the lower jaw. This is a seasonally monoestrous species and breeds once in a year. The Fallopian tube epithelium of T. kachhensis in both the segments, ampullary and isthumic, is lined by two cell types: ciliated and non-ciliated (secretory). The Fallopian tube shows alterations in its muco-subtances during estrus and pregnancy. The ciliated cells elaborate large quantity of glycogen, while non-ciliated cells elaborate high amounts of glycogen and neutral and acid mucins during estrus. Mucins are localized in the cytoplasm as well as cytoplasmic blebs. Glycogen and other muco-substances in non-ciliated cells decrease during pregnancy and the ciliated cells show a small amount of glycogen only. The concentration of muco-substances is highest during estrus, and the cytoplasmic blebs are numerous and prominent and are filled with secretion during this stage.