Physiological, Histochemical and Immunological Studies on the Endocrine gLands of common Microchiroptera Found in Egypt

Abstract

B' ats are the masters of air among all other mammals. They have undergonecertain specific modifications in their e[\docrine glands to cope with their aerial mode of life. In the present investigation, studies on some of the endocrine

systems in the microchiropterous bats: Nycteris thebaica and Taphozous nudiventris which are common in Egypt revealed the following:- The reproductive organs of the female are composed of two ovaries,

two Fallopian tubes, generally symmetrical bicornuate uterus and a caudally extending vagina. The ovaries are usually oval in shape and situated behind the kidneys. They are enveloped in a fold of the peritoneum. • The Fallopian tubes make a rather tortuous course from the uterus to the sp; cious fimbriated funnel. The body of the uterus is short and wide in

Nycteris thebaica: and Taphozous nudiventris.

The vagina is a narrow tube which lies dorsal to the urethra. Its upper part is flattened dorso-ventrally, while its lower pari is. cylindrical. The urethra forms a long and narrow tubes, the distal end of which opens into the shori urino-genital vestibule. The urino-genital canal is very short. The microscopic anatomy of the female genitalia, in this species of bats, the presence of a regressing corpus luteum, accompanied by a large preovulatory follicle and uterine spermatozoa in lactating bats during breeding months. Also the occurrence of a Graafian follicle in pregnant animals suggests that the corpus luteum of gestation begins to wane prior .to birth allowing follicles logenesis to resume.