Morphological and histometrical studies of lymphatic patches of buffalo large intestine in different ages.

The objectives of this investigation were to describe the distribution, morphological structure and determination of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) area in the buffalo large intestine where it is the site of damage in many diseases like bovine virus diarrhea (BVD), colitis and colonic infection. The macroscopic results showed that buffalo large intestine contained two lymphatic patches: A- ileocecal lymphatic patch (ICLP) which it was located at the ileocecal entrance and it has an elliptical shape. Bcolonic lymphatic patch (CLP) which was located in the proximal loop of ascending colon with tongueform,fingerform or crownform shapes and it was placed 24.99 ± 1.27emdistal to ICLP. The average elevation of ICLP was increased significantly up to 3-year-oJd but it decreased in 3-5-year-old (P 0.05), which indicates the beginning of tl.e regression in ICLP. The area ofICLP was increased significantly from 6-12 months (8.6 ± 3.96 cm^2) to 3-5-year-old (17.4 ± 9.13 cm^2), (P 0.05).The elevation of CLP was less than ICLP and was not seen any significant differences in the elevation of CLP in different ages. The average area ofCLP patches was increased with the age. In buffalo, like cattle, there were two types of lymphatic nodules: the propria nodules and the Iymphoglandular complex. In propria nodules, lymphatic follicles were mainly in the lamina propria and in the Iymphoglandular complexes, the lymphatic follicles were almost completely located under the muscularis mucosa. The number and diameter of lymphatic follicles of ICLP were more than CLP. The number and diameter oflymphatic follicles were decreased in two types of patches by age but more interesting finding was observation of more significant regression in CLP with the age.