BACKGROUND:Several investigations showed cartilaginous
cells in fibrous tissue of the free part of the penis in one humped
camel. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was accurate assessment
of existence of cartilaginous cells in penis shaft of onehumped
camel. METHODS: Six camel penises from matured
camels more than 3 years-old were collected from an abattoir.
Different specimens were prepared from each penis and kept in
10% formalin container for fixation. After passing different
stages of histotechnique methods, several slides were prepared
from each specimen, stained with Haematoxylin Eosin and
studied. RESULTS: Results showed that the majority of cartilaginous
cells were inside the collagen fibers of tunica albuginea and
around corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum of penis and
their distributions were dissimilar in different parts of the penis
shaft. This survey further showed that in penis shaft length, the
majority of cartilaginous cells were inside tunica albuginea,
which is surrounded by corpus spongiosum and particularly, the
ventral surface of urethra. CONCLUSIONS: The number of
cartilaginous cells decreased gradually from distal extremity
towards the proximal extremity of the body of the penis and
increased gradually from external layer of tunica albuginea
towards the internal layer of tunica albuginea and centre of
corpus cavernosum penis. Existence of cartilaginous cells inside
the leaf tissue of the penis was seen with aging and puberty.