Abstract

ABSTRACT
Telocytes are stromal stem cells located in different organs including the lactating and non-lactating mammary glands of she-camel. Fresh speciemens of mammary gland were obtained from 10 lactating and non-lactating she-camels of 8 years old directly after slaughtering for human consumption according to the rules of the Egyptian veterinary authorities. The specimens were processed for transmission electron microscopical examination. Telocytes were found around the ducts of lactating and non-lactating mammary glands and beside the mast cells. These telocytes communicate with other cells sometimes differentiate into fibroblasts. In the lactating mammary gland telocytes were found around the acini. The telocytes were spindle and slender in shape with two long cytoplasmic extension (telopodes). These telopodes had nano-vesicles. They had rods to pear shape nuclei. In a conclusion, the telocytes are stromal stem cells in both lactating and non-lactating she-camel mammary glands

Key words: Key words: She-camel, mammary glands, telocytes, telopodes.