A macroanatomical and histological study of the uropygial gland in the white stork (ciconia cicionia) Un estudio macroanatómico e histológicos de la glándula uropigial de la cigüeña blanca (ciconia cicionia)


Creative Commons License

KOZLU T., Bozkurt Y. A., ATEŞ S.

International Journal of Morphology, vol.29, no.3, pp.723-726, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 29 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.4067/s0717-95022011000300010
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Morphology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.723-726
  • Keywords: Anatomy, Histology, Uropygial gland, White stork
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The present study was aimed at the macroanatomical and histological investigation and the demonstration of the structural characteristics of the uropygial gland in the white stork. The uropygial gland of two adult male white storks constituted the material of the study. It was determined that the gland was situated subcutaneously in between the caudal aspect of the lumbosacral bone and the first coccygeal vertebrae. The gland was composed of two lobes, which displayed an oval appearance when viewed from above and resembled a water drop when observed medially. Tuft of feathers were present on the caudal margin of each lobe. The present study revealed that the uropygial gland of the white stork is a simple tubular gland, which discharges its secretion into the lumen by a holocrine mode. Each lobe, possessed centrally located large cavities and a main excretory duct and displayed the presence of externally situated "peripheral tubules" and interiorly situated "central tubules". These secretory tubules, which composed the parenchyma, were separated by connective tissue septa referred to as "trabeculae", and released their secretion into a centrally located lumen. The wall of the secretory tubules was comprised of four layers, referred to as the germinative, intermediary, secretory and degenerative layers. The silver-staining procedure demonstrated that the stroma of the uropygial gland did not contain reticulum fibres. The anatomy and histology of the gland has been examined in few avian species. Up to date, this study is the first to describe the histological and anatomical peculiarities of the uropygial gland in white stork. The results acquired hereby will surely contribute to further studies to be conducted on the related area.