Histologic structure of the uropygial gland of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Harem I. S., Kocak-Harem M., Turan-Kozlu T., AKAYDIN BOZKURT Y., Karadag-Sari E., Altunay H.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol.41, no.1, pp.148-151, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1638/2008-0205.1
  • Journal Name: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.148-151
  • Keywords: Calcium, Histology, Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, Preen gland, Structure
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the histologic structure of the uropygial gland in an osprey. The gland was composed of two elongated lobes which were enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue. Each lobe of the gland had a large central cavity with one excretory duct. The secretory tubules consisted of four cell types: basal, intermediate, secretory, and degenerative. The intermediate cells in the osprey were few in number and did not form a layer, while secretory and degenerative cells consist of 23 strata, indicating a high level of lipogenesis. The membranes and peripheral cytoplasm of degenerative cells located in the base of the lobes revealed calcium (Ca 2) deposition and an intense acidophilic reaction. Copyright 2010 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.