Volume 10, Issue 1: 12-16; January 25, 2020  
ISSN 2228-7701  
MORPHO-HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF SPLEEN ONTOGENESIS IN  
LAMBS DURING ANTENATAL AND POSNATAL PERIOD  
Rahmoun EDDINE DJALLAL1, Fares AMINE MOHAMED1, Haffiene MANEL1, Messai KHAOULA1 and  
Lieshchova MARINA2  
1Laboratory of Histology, Departement of Veterinary Science, Institut of Agronomic and Veterinary Science Taoura, University of Souk Ahras, Algeria  
2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dniepro, Ukraine  
Email: deddine44@hotmail.com;  
Supporting Information  
ABSTRACT: In an experiment on the spleen of healthy lambs at two periods (prenatal and postnatal), using  
anatomo-topographic and histo-cytological research methods and with subsequent statistical analysis, it was  
found that the changes in the anatomical and histological structure related to the age of this organ, including  
during the early stages of the postnatal period of ontogenesis. Note that the surface of the spleen is covered  
with a capsule of connective tissue, from which leave trabeculae which divide the parenchyma of the organ  
into lobes. At the time of physiological maturity, the ratio of the structures changes in the direction of an  
increase in the white pulp and a decrease in the component of the red pulp. During all periods of prenatal fetal  
development, the percentages of spleen tissue components corresponding to fetal analogs with normal  
clinical development are determined. The morphological structure of the spleen is described for the first time  
for this breed in Algeria, age-related changes in the structures of the parenchyma are traced, the formation of  
follicles began during the terminal phase of gestation, and the development age-related white pulp.  
Keywords: Algeria, Follicle, Parenchyma, Postnatal, Spleen, Lambs, White pulp.  
INTRODUCTION  
The spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ with dual function; Immune and hematopoietic at the same time (Short et al.,  
2016). Spleen studies in sheep have been done by Gnanadevi et al. (2019), in addition, extensive studies on the human  
spleen have been performed by Almenar et al. (2019). Also the white pulp of spleen is mainly populated by lymphocytes.  
The areas of white pulp include arterial vessels, surrounded by lymphoid tissue, with clear boundaries. In addition, in  
white pulp of rabbit’s spleen there are lymphoid follicles grouped by lymphoid cells. According to Rahman et al. (2016),  
they are surrounded by a well-defined connective tissue. These lymphoid follicles belong to B-dependent lymphoid tissue  
that the researchers found by Mollejo et al. (2002).  
With regard to other animals, the white and red pulps are distinguished in the spleen of rabbits previously studied by  
Rahmoun et al. (2019), also white pulp of spleen is mainly populated by lymphocytes. The areas of white pulp include  
arterial vessels, surrounded by lymphoid tissue, with clear boundaries (Quesada et al., 1990). In addition, in white pulp in  
rabbit’s spleen there were lymphoid follicles grouped by lymphoid cells, surrounded by well-defined connective tissue.  
These lymphoid follicles belong to the B-dependent lymphoid tissue that found by the researchers (Rebelatto et al.,  
2018). Papenfuss et al. (2017) described that at the level of the white pulp, the lymphoid sleeve is presented by a mass  
of T lymphocytes around the central arteries lymphoid follicles, also attached to the sleeves formed by B lymphocytes are  
composed of a clear germ center corresponding to the transformation zone of the lymphocytes into plasma cells and a  
darker crown where lymphocytes proliferate.  
Our research based on the study of growth and development of this organ in antenatal and postnatal period  
according to the norms of descriptive immunology of lymphoid organs theories and highlighting the activation of follicles  
after the contact with antigen.  
MATERIALS AND METHODS  
Spleens from fetuses, as well as lambs healthy and unvaccinated from the slaughterhouse city of souk ahras, Algeria,  
were the subject of our study, the collected spleens were performed immediately after slaughter dissection of animals for  
the antenatal period, and from the pregnant female during the last month of gestation. After collecting organs, the  
spleens are weighed with an electronic High precision balance KERN KB 0.001 g and the length and width are taken with  
electronic Ruler Measuring Stainless Steel LCD, the data is entered in the note-book.  
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Citation: Eddine Djallal R, Amine Mohamed F, Manel H, Khaoula M and Marina L (2020). Morpho-histological study of spleen ontogenesis in lambs during antenatal and  
Organ fixation was performed with 5.0% and 10.0% formalin. The research was performed in the histology and  
histopathology laboratory of Taoura Veterinary Institute, University of Souk Ahras, Algeria. Organ fixation was performed  
with 5.0% and 10.0% formalin. The organs have been sectioned and placed in a coating cassette, placed in the initial pot  
of automat impregnation SLEE MEDICAL, which includes 12 stations, ten glass beakers for xylene and alcohol with  
digressive degrees of treatment and two pots of paraffin in anodized aluminum. For dehydration and preparation of tissue  
for microtome cutting Programmable thanks to the LCD screen, for control of temperature and elapsed time. The step of  
coating the tissue samples with the MPS / P1 system. Thin sections of 5.00 7.00 microns were made with a CUT 4062  
microtome with manual rotation, put on slide for different staining, Hematoxylin-eosin, impregnation with silver nitrate,  
and immuno-histochemistry with markers identification of T lymphocytes.  
Examination with an ocular micrometer, distances between divisions of 5 μm. The histological structure of the  
parenchyma has been detected. The measurements of each ocular field were carried out in five fields of vision of five  
histological sections of each histological slide.  
Other sections were subjected to an impregnation with silver nitrate by serial passage in silver nitrate and potassium  
permanganate tanks at a decreasing concentration and this in order to visualize the reticular structure of this organ. For  
localization of lymphocytes in the functional areas of the spleen, immunohistochemistry is used for the determination and  
localization of lymphocytes and macrophages in the parenchyma of organs, also the determination of the cytological  
characteristics was carried out using an ocular microscope, antibodies were used to elucidate the T lymphocytes in the  
functional areas of the spleen.  
The examinations and the taking of the data were carried out on personal computer. The determination of the  
histological and cytological characteristics was carried out using an ocular microscope and a stereo MBS-10 microscope.  
The quantitative study for the tissue compartments was carried out using the point S system; the data obtained were  
analyzed with R program.  
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION  
The study of the mass of spleens during the antenatal period revealed that the minimum value was 2.43 g found in the  
first group, while the maximum value was 6.39 g found in the fourth group (Graph 1), concerning lambs. From the  
postnatal period, the minimum value was 6.22 g found in the first group, while the maximum value was 21.52 g found in  
the fourth group (Graph 1). The results of morphometric study and mass of this organ on other mammals were conducted  
by Vashishtha et al. (2018). Finding significant variations according to age, also, discussed a progressive increase of mass  
and revealed that sex has no influence on its development, results found by Jaji et al. (2019). Measurement of fetal  
spleens, minimum value of length was 3.61 cm found in first group while maximum value was 4.35 cm found in fourth  
group. About width, minimum value was 2.47 cm found in second group, whereas maximum value was 2.95 cm for the  
fourth group (Graph 2). Regarding lambs spleen, the minimum length value of 4.54 cm found in first group and maximum  
value of 11.67 cm found in fourth group. While minimum width value was 3.29 cm found in first group, and maximum  
width was 8.32 cm found in fourth group (Graph 2).  
Graph 2 - Morphometric index of some spleens, (cm)  
according to the age (days).  
Graph 1 - Mass index of spleens (g) according to  
antenatal and postnatal period (days).  
Optical Microscopic exams revealed that lambs' spleen consisted of stroma and parenchyma (Graph 3). Stroma  
mainly formed by capsule and trabeculae that enter into parenchyma. The capsule of this organ consists of two layers, an  
external connective tissue (elastic) and internal (muscle), according to Weigert's Hematoxylin and picrofushin (Van Gieson)  
staining allowing the organ to change its size and maintain an increase significant of its volume (Figure 1-A). It has been  
found that red pulp is composed of splenic sinusoidal capillaries and cellular cords. Splenic sinusoidal capillaries are  
limited by single discontinuous epithelium, resting on basement membrane which surrounds sinusoids in discontinuous  
way, species situated between sinusoidal capillaries occupied by cellular cords, in the researches of Silva-O’Hare et al.  
(2017) have achieved almost the same results, although follicles appeared in the antenatal phase according to our data,  
which is not in theory as immunological norm, this result would open new research later.  
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Citation: Eddine Djallal R, Amine Mohamed F, Manel H, Khaoula M and Marina L (2020). Morpho-histological study of spleen ontogenesis in lambs during antenatal and  
The results obtained after silver nitrate staining revealed white pulp is composed of lymphatic follicles, integrated in  
different places of red pulp in the form of small rounded growths. Arteries that cross the periphery were observed.  
Vascularization of red pulp takes its origin from penicillate arteries that give rise to arterioles (Figure 2-F), whereas  
endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells are clearly visible in the center (Figure 2-E). Gavrilin et al. (2017) noted that  
fibers were arranged vertically in trabeculae and gradually became shallow in terminal branches. Elastic and muscular  
fibers oriented in a parallel way to trabeculae direction, their function is changing volume, whereas smooth muscle  
function is discharging blood from the organ. White pulp rich in reticular tissue found to have silver nitrate impregnation  
of histological sections also was observed (Ikpegbu et al., 2019).  
Figure 1: (a) Histological section of newborn lamb spleen, Hematoxylin & eosin, × 40: 1-capsule; 2-muscle fiber; 3-  
Cortical zone. (b) Histological section of lamb fetus spleen, Hematoxylin & eosin, × 40: 1-capsule; 2-cortical area; 3-  
Medullar area; 4- Trabeculae artery. (c) Hematoxylin & eosin, × 40: 1- Pulp artery; 2 - Trabeculae artery; 3-red pulp.  
Figure 2: (D) Histological section of lamb fetus spleen, silver nitrate impregnation, × 40: 1-sinus; 2-early formation  
of reticular tissue; 3-medullary area. (E) Histological section of the lamb spleen, silver nitrate impregnation, × 40: 1-  
zone of reticular fiber formation; 2-pulp artery. 3-cortical area. (F) Histological section of the newly born lamb  
spleen: 1-pulp artery, 2-PALS, 3-lymphocyte cell accumulation.  
Hassal corpuscles and a peri-arterial lymphatic sheath also were noted (Figure 1-F). Results are similar to those  
reported by Shringi et al. (2018). Splenic follicles were well visualized, of different sizes, as an ovoid mass, composed of  
aggregates of lymphatic tissue and small pulpal arteries (Figure 1-C), as described by Dubey et al. (2018), space between  
white pulp and trabeculae occupied by red pulp, similar results were observed in other studies. It has also been noted that  
red pulp is composed of pulpal arterioles, splenic follicles, and splenic cords (Nicander et al., 1993). Quantitative results in  
antenatal period revealed after microscopic examination that spleen is composed of capsule which envelops the whole  
organ (Figure 1-B), its index increases according to groups, 02.34 ± 0.74 % for first group, 03.48 ± 0.83% for second  
group, third group of fetal spleen present value of 04.84 ± 0.67% finally a sum of 06,66 ± 0,24% assigned for the fourth  
group. For trabeculae, minimum percentages value of 02.71 ± 0.87% found in second group, while maximum value is  
09.35 ± 0.24% for fourth group.  
Red pulp and arteriolar peripheral lymphoid sheaths (PALS) begin to form only in fourth group antenatal spleens,  
while they are absent entirely in other groups of. Follicles in these groups have variable values, minimal value of 0.12 %  
found if the first group, and maximal value of 1.74 % in the fourth group. Whereas total parenchyma has a variable  
percentage occupies discrete invisible neo-formations, the Maximum value is 94.46 ± 0.72% for the first group of fetal  
spleens, while it is at least 89.40 ± 3.45% in fourth group. For lamb’s spleens, it was noted that all parenchyma  
components are present, a noticeable increase in percentages of components tissue, capsule exhibited minimal value in  
second group 06.10±0.17%, while maximum value was in fourth group 11.65 ± 0.82%. For trabeculae, the minimum  
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Citation: Eddine Djallal R, Amine Mohamed F, Manel H, Khaoula M and Marina L (2020). Morpho-histological study of spleen ontogenesis in lambs during antenatal and  
value of 04.53 ± 0.35% found in the first group and reaches 07.10 ± 0.17% in the second group. For the red pulp, the  
minimal surface of 52.33 ± 1.65% found in the first group, and a maximum of 72.54 ± 1.62% in the fourth group. These  
results are similar to those found by (Dunaevskaya, 2019).  
Peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS), revealed minimum surface of 07.70 ± 0.78% lambs first group and  
maximal value of 13.34 ± 0.76% in fourth group. Regarding follicles, inactive follicles percentage shows minimum value  
of 1.74 ± 1.26% in first group and maximum value of 5.79 ± 1.35% in fourth group. For active follicles, minimum  
percentage of 2.66 ± 1.21% found in first group; whereas maximum value was in second group 8.29 ± 2.54%. Looking at  
total parenchyma percentage a maximum value of 88.75 ± 1.87% in first group, and 82.7 ± 1.85% as lowest value found  
in fourth group.  
Graph 4 - Total parenchyma compositions (%)  
according to age (days).  
Graph 3 - Total parenchyma compositions (%)  
according to age (days).  
CONCLUSION  
Spleen in ovine species in Algeria appears as an important multifunctional organ of peripheral element of immune  
system and hematopoiesis process. Results of this study obtained at macroscopic and microscopic level indicate that  
development index begins already in antenatal period then in post-natal period, stroma, red pulp and white pulp have  
development index appears normal whereas follicles appear already in antenatal period about gestation’s end. The  
objective is to establish basic anatomical characters of spleen in Algerian breed Ouled Djellal, in order to obtain safe  
animal production. For this morphometricall and histologic spleens research gave an idea about the development index.  
DECLARATIONS  
Corresponding Author  
E-mail: deddine44@hotmail.com; ORCID: 0000-0001-6723-4491  
Acknowledgements  
The authors wish to thank the team of the histology laboratory of the faculty of veterinary sciences of Taoura,  
University of Souk-ahras Algeria, for their support and help throughout the research period.  
Authors’ Contribution  
All authors contributed equally to this work.  
Conflict of interests  
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.  
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