Histological and histochemical study of the uropygial gland of chimango caracara (Milvago chimango vieillot, 1816) |
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| Authors: | MC Chiale D Montalti MA Flamini P Fernández E Gimeno CG Barbeito |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Ornithology, Vertebrate Zoology Division, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentinaceciliachiale@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar;4. CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;5. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;6. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;7. CONICET, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;8. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina;9. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | The uropygial glands of birds are sebaceous organs that contribute to the water-repellent properties of the feather coat. We studied the histological and histochemical characteristics of the uropygial gland of chimango caracara using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Gomori´s trichrome, orcein, Gomori´s reticulin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Alcian blue (AB) and a variety of lectins. The gland is composed of two lobes and a papilla with 20 downy feathers. It is surrounded by a capsule of dense connective tissue that contains elastic, reticular and smooth muscle fibers. The papilla is delicate and has two excretory ducts. The gland mass relative to body mass was 0.143%. Both adenomer cells and their secretions were stained with Sudan IV, PAS and AB, and were positive for numerous lectins that indicated the presence of lipids and carbohydrates. Immunohistochemical techniques to detect PCNA confirmed cell proliferation in the basal stratum of the adenomer cells. The lipids and glycoconjugates secreted by the uropygial gland serve numerous functions including protection against microorganisms. |
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| Keywords: | caracaras Falconiformes glycoconjugates histology preen gland |
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