The current study investigated epithelial modification of embryonic quail esophagus using gross examination, light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. By semithin sections, the pre-gastric modified region had unfolded mucosa, formed epithelial flabs and pockets, and had reduced muscularis mucosae, thin muscular layer, less glandular tissue, and outer esophageal groove. Conversely, the normal esophageal mucosa was folded, had abundant glandular tissue and prominent muscularis mucosae, with two muscular layers; the outer and the inner. The modified epithelium resembled stratified squamous type that had a high affinity for PAS, methylene blue, and PAP stains. Ultra-structural features of the modified esophageal epithelium resembled stratified squamous epithelium and contained hypertrophic Keratinocytes; dark and light. Hypertrophic keratinocytes had RER organized, few ribosomes, and developed loose bundle of cytokeratin compared with squamous keratinocytes. Hypertrophic Keratinocytes synthesize two types of granules; peripherally located small electron-dense granules and large electron-lucent granules. Hypertrophic keratinocytes had peroxisomes that were identified by the crystalline core of the urate oxidase. In conclusion, epithelia modification may have secretory function. Further studies should be carried out to explain the exact function of this type of modified epithelium.
Keywords: SEM; TEM; embryonic quail esophagus; epithelial modification; secretory epithelial cells.
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