The aim of the present study was to describe the structural features of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in the buffalo (Bos bubalis). The vomeronasal organ of 12 adult buffaloes of different ages and sexes were studied macroscopically, by light microscope and by scanning electron microscope. The results of the present study revealed that the vomeronasal organ of the buffalo consists of paired tubes situated on each side of the base of the nasal septum. The lumen of the VNO is lined by medial sensory and lateral non-sensory epithelium. The sensory epithelium is a pseudostratified epithelium containing three morphologically identical cell layers: supporting cells, vomeronasal receptor neurons and basal cells. The respiratory (nonsensory) epithelium is a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with three cell types: ciliated cells, nonciliated secretory cells and basal cells. The vomeronasal glands are compound branched tubuloacinar glands mainly located in the submucosa. The present study gives a detail anatomical description of the VNO of buffaloes that may help in understanding more about its function especially flehmen behavior. |
