This study was conducted to comparatively investigate the hormonal, histological, and histochemical characteristics of the poll gland in adult male dromedary camels during the breeding season (December to March) versus the non-breeding season. Ten sexually mature male camels were used during the breeding season, and ten others during the non-breeding season.

Histological analysis focused on the general tissue architecture of the poll gland. Microscopic measurements included capsule thickness, alveolar lumen diameter, connective tissue thickness between alveoli, and epithelial thickness in both breeding and non-breeding seasons.

The glandular lobules were filled with large alveoli with narrow lumens, lined by tall simple cuboidal epithelium featuring apical blebs and surrounded by myoepithelial cells with dark-stained nuclei, followed by a thin interstitial connective tissue layer during the active season. In contrast, during the inactive season, the alveoli decreased in size, and the lining epithelium became simple squamous or low cuboidal, with lumen dilation and an increase in connective tissue thickness.Serial histological sections showed that the lobules drain into multiple excretory ducts that follow a convoluted path toward the surface and open at the upper parts of hair follicles.

Histochemically, the capsule and glandular structure exhibited strong reactions to hematoxylin and eosin staining. Smooth muscle cells showed positive reactivity with the PAS technique, and the cytoplasm of certain secretory cells reacted positively to Masson’s