Aim: This study aimed to determine the distribution and heterogeneity of mast cells located in different parts of the genital tract of female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during the prepubertal and postpubertal periods using different fixation solutions and staining methods.

Materials and Methods: For this purpose, tissue samples were taken from the genital tract (infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, vagina) of healthy female quails, including 10 prepubertal and 10 postpubertal animals. The tissue samples of both groups were fixed in either 10% neutral formaldehyde or isotonic formaldehyde acetic acid solution. The tissue sections were stained with the toluidine blue and combined alcian blue/safranin O staining methods.

Results: The light microscopic examination of the tissue sections treated with both fixatives demonstrated that mast cells were round to oval or spindle-like in form and localized especially around blood vessels in the tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa layers. Mast cells were found to be distributed primarily in the uterus during the prepubertal and postpubertal periods; followed in descending order by the isthmus, magnum, vagina and infundibulum. It was determined that mast cell counts significantly increased in the infundibulum in the postpubertal period (p<0.05) compared to the prepubertal period. Fixation in IFAA was associated with a more prominent staining and higher count of mast cells in all tissues, compared to fixation in formaldehyde.

Conclusion: The number of mast cells in the infundibulum was determined to have increased in the postpubertal period, and this increase was considered to may affect egg formation and egg-laying.