The Ultrastructure of Cells and Cell Fragments in Mammary Secretions of <i>Camelus bactrianus</i>

Abstract

The fine structure of leucocytes from the udders of 7 lactating and 3 non-lactating bactrian camels and from peripheral blood were studied. The most important finding was the presence of large numbers of cell fragments in milk. The cell fragments were bounded by a plasma membrane, had no nuclei and contained mitochondria and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Macrophages were the dominant cells recovered from milk and udder washings during the dry period. Neutrophils and lymphocytes were also present. The dominating leucocytes in blood were neutrophils, followed by lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils.