Mast cells in the bovine lower respiratory tract: morphology, density and distribution

The lower respiratory tract of six 8-day-old calves and six adult cows was fixed in either isotonic formal-acetic-acid or neutral buffered formalin in order to study the morphology, density and distribution of mast cells. They were found at all levels of the tract with the highest density in the major bronchi. Tissues from cows had significantly more mast cells than those from calves. There were significantly more mast cells detected in calf airways fixed with isotonic formal-acetic-acid compared with those seen in the same tissues fixed with neutral buffered formalin. Regardless of the age and fixation, mast cells were located predominantly in the alveolar septa and in the lamina propria of airways. They were also commonly encountered within the mucosal epithelium of the trachea. Ultrastructurally, mast cells in bovine airways and lung contained two types of intracytoplasmic granules as described in other species.