SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE ON MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURE OF PECTEN OCULI AND THEIR FUNCTIONAL PRINCIPLES ON APPARATUS OF VISION IN GUINEA FOWL (NUMIDA MELEAGRIS) BIRDS.
The study was conducted on 18 eyes, which revealed that dark black velvety pecten oculi has 13 to 17 number of accordion (pectineal) folds. These accordion folds were initiated from cauda of optic nerve and travelled via fundus distally into the vitreous humour in the manner of undulated natured pathway of snake. Macroscopically the shape of pecten oculi was observed without much difference of the sail board. The maximum average length and height of pecten oculi was found on the tune of 3.378?0.061 mm and 5.913?0.074 mm respectively. Histomorphologically the pecten oculi showed an organization as the festoon of blood capillaries with their elastic, collagen and reticular fibers which correspond with the structure of spring diving board. Its working principle was also being matched with Hook?s law, how the diving spring board work. Melanocytes, melanosomes and melanin granules were observed in and around blood capillaries of pecten oculi. The highest concentration of melanin was observed in the apex. Histochemically the pecten oculi was shown very weak activity of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. It has shown a strong activity of glycogen at optic nerve and collagen fibers of pectineal capillaries. Ultrastructurally, the nucleated erythrocytes were witnessed at luminal area of pectineal blood capillary and the endothelium was elaborating tight intercellular junction. The primary and secondary lamellae were observed in the luminal region of pectineal capillary wherein pigment depositing globules were discovered. Pecten oculi of Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) perform various functions, after which it is identified as the organ of haemostatic function, support system to retina to get visual acuity, phagocytic, immunity shield and the source of energy for vitreous humour by performing process of diffusion
