Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies on Harderian and lacrimal glands of the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus major L.)

This study describes the macroscopic anatomy and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the Harderian gland and lacrimal gland of the Capercaillies. It was conducted both on adult male and female Capercaillies. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, azan trichrome, modified Mallory’s trichrome, methyl green-pyronin Y, periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale’s dialysed iron. The morphometric study of the Harderian and lacrimal glands indicated that they are both larger in male than in female Capercaillies. The histological analysis showed that the HG has a multilobar tubulo-alveolar structure with numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells. The LG has a multilobar tubulo-acinar structure without lymphocytes and plasma cells. The periodic acid-Schiff staining and alcian blue pH 2.5 staining demonstrated a mild positive reaction in the epithelial cells of the Harderian gland and weak positive reaction in the lacrimal gland. The HDI staining detected the presence of carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides in the Harderian and lacrimal glands. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of two types of secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm of both studied glands. It also showed that lipid droplets and glycogen granules were more abundant in the Harderian gland than in the lacrimal gland of this species

Light and electron microscopic studies of the Harderian gland in Bilgorajska goose (Anser anser)

The Harderian gland (HG) in birds is the dominant orbital gland, which plays an important role in immunological response. Tissue sections taken from adult females of Bilgorajska goose were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Azan, PAS, AB pH 2.5, AF and HDI. Based on the histological structure the HG in Bilgorajska geese had compound tubular structure with multiple lobules and two types of epithelial cells lining the tubules. Epithelial cells in the central part of the lobes were dark in color and contained serous fluid, while in the deeper layers, epithelial cells were lightly coloured and contained mucous fluid. Histochemical studies showed the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharides and carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides in the secretory cells. The small number of single plasma cells were present in HDI staining below the basement membrane of the secondary and primary ducts, near the crypts of the main duct. TEM study demonstrated that plasma cells had a large nucleus with condensed heterochromatin and were rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum. The knowledge of gland’s structure, and above all an analysis of the immune system components may affect clinical practice and properly conducted immunization of birds

Morphology of the extraocular muscles (M. bulbi) in the pre-hatchling and post-hatchling african black ostriches (Struthio camelus domesticus L., 1758) (Aves: Struthioniformes)

The aim of the study was to describe the morphology and the development of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) in the pre-hatchling and post-hatchling African black ostrich. The study involved 50 birds aged between 28 days and 3 years. The EOMs were analyzed morphologically with respect to the location and length of the straight and oblique muscles and the third eyelid muscles, the length and breadth of their tendons as well as the distance and shape of the muscle tendon insertions at the corneal limbus. A histological and histometric analysis were also carried out. The greatest increase in the length of the EOMs was noted in groups III–V. A marked increase in the length of the tendons of the dorsal straight muscle was found in groups II and III, in the tendons of the nasal straight muscle in groups IV and V, in the tendons of the dorsal oblique muscle in groups III to V and in the tendons of the ventral oblique muscle in groups IV and V. There was a significant increase in the breadth of the dorsal straight and ventral oblique muscle tendons in groups IV and V and the tendons of the pyramidal muscle in groups III and V. The distance of the distal insertion of the tendon at the corneal limbus increased steadily with age in all the examined groups. The number of fascicles and muscle fibres, their diameter and length in all the studied EOMs were different in the different groups

Morphology and Histology of the Orbital Region and Eye of the Asiatic Black Bear (<i>Ursus thibetanus</i>)—Similarities and Differences within the Caniformia Suborder

In this study, we present first data concerning the morphological observations of the orbital region, eye tunics, upper and lower eyelids, superficial gland of the third eyelid with the third eyelid, and lacrimal gland in captive adult male Asiatic black bear. The following research methods were used in the work: the eyeball morphometry, the orbital region description, macroscopic description, morphometric and histological analysis of the eye tunics and selected the accessory organs of the eye (Fontana–Masson, hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), Methyl-green-pyronin Y (MGP Y), Movat pentachrome, and picro-Mallory trichrome) as well as histochemical examination (PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5, AB pH 2.5/PAS and HDI). The eyeball of the Asiatic black bear was a spherical shape, while the periorbita was funnel/conical-shaped and the eye socket was of the open type. The cornea was absent of the Bowman’s membrane similar to all domestic dogs and some wild dogs. There were palisades of Vogt in the corneal limbus epithelium similar to the Canidae. Degenerative choroidal tapetum lucidum similar to ranch mink (Mustelidae) has been found. The pupil was big and round in shape. The ciliary muscle, dilatator and sphincter muscle were well developed, similar to the pinnipeds. The lens was biconvex round, similar to the Canidae. The retina was composed similarly to the diurnal terrestrial carnivores. In both eyelids were observed very well-developed tarsal glands, ciliary glands and sebaceous glands. The orbital zone in the eyelids was characterized by lymphoid follicles, diffuse lymphocytes and specialized high endothelial venules. In the anterior palpebral margin of the upper eyelid, soft and short eyelashes were observed, while in the lower eyelids they were absent. The third eyelid was T-shaped and composed of the hyaline tissue, and it contained CALT, similar to that in Canidae. The superficial gland of the third eyelid was a multilobar alveolar branched complex with seromucous nature, while the lacrimal gland was also a multilobar acinar branched complex gland, but producing a mucous–serous secretion. The results of our research indicate that the features of the anatomy of the eye and orbital region in Asiatic black bear are also typical of the Ursidae family. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the morphological eye region may be useful in comparative studies and veterinary diagnostics in this bear species

Comparative study of the eyelids and orbital glands morphology in the okapi (Okapia johnstoni, Giraffidae), Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus, Cervidae) and the Philippine mouse-deer (Tragulus nigricans, Tragulidae).

The accessory organs of the eye represent part of the protective system of the eyeball. In the present study, an examination of the accessory organs of the eye of three species of captive ruminants was performed using light microscopy. In the okapi, the superficial gland of the third eyelid and lacrimal gland were complex branched multilobar tubular glands formed by mucous units with tubular secretory portions and no plasma cells. The deep gland of the third eyelid was absent in the okapi and present in both the Père David’s deer and the Philippine mouse-deer. In the Philippine mouse-deer, the deep gland had a very thick connective capsule and thick interlobar septae. It contained fewer lobes forming the gland parenchyma compared to Père David’s deer and other ruminants. Organized lymphoid follicles were present within the upper and lower eyelids only in the okapi and Père David’s deer, while diffuse lymphocytes were observed in the Philippine mouse-deer. The orbital glands in the Père David’s deer had a multilobar tubuloacinar structure with numerous plasma cells and a mucoserous character. In contrast to the Philippine mouse-deer, these glands had a serous character. The presence of several macroscopic and microscopic structural differences of the examined accessory organs of the eye in the three captive ruminant species may be understood within an ecological context and may be associated with different habitat-specific environmental conditions

The presence of ovarian cysts in a captive Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus L. 1758)

Abstract Background Several pathological changes associated with reproductive systems of marine mammals have been reported in primary literature. However, no such records exist regarding ovarian cysts in the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus L. 1758). Case presentation A nulliparous female Antillean manatee, held in captivity at the Wroclaw Zoological Garden, died in April 2015. The animal was 370 cm long from nose to tail and weighed 670 kg. The width of manatee’s fluke was 80 cm. The post-mortem examination of the reproductive system showed the numerous pathological cysts on the external surface of the left and the right ovaries. Morphologically, the cysts had varying diameters and were attached to the ovaries by stalks. Some of the cysts were thin-walled and contained fluid, while several others were solid or contained a semi-solid mass. The structure of the ovaries displayed features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The cysts also exhibited positivity with cytokeratin and vimentin. There were no pathological changes within the uterus, uterine tube and vagina. Conclusion Although we were unable to definitively determine the exact source of the ovarian cysts in the studied manatee, we found that one of the causes may be age-related. Our study also revealed that ovarian cysts in the Antillean manatee form both types of corpora lutea (CL)