Morphological and Histochemical Studies on the Uropygial Glands of Pigeon and Domestic Fowl

Abstract

The uropygial glands of the pigeon and the domestic duck were studied by classical '' Golgi techniques''; morphological techniques of known chemical reactions, and other current histochemical techniques. The mitochondria are of lipoproteinous nature in the form of rods or filaments, each having one or more surface granules. These surface granules detach themselves from their respective mitochondria, grow in size, get vacuolated and serve as sites for the condensation of neutral lipids. Every secretion droplet is invariably ensheathed by a thin lipoproteinous membrane, usually associated with granules of similar chemical nature. There has been observed a gradual decrease in the cytoplasmic RNA and cytoplasmic affinity for Hg-BPB and PAS colourations from periphery towards lumen. In the lumina, in addition to the secretory products, the presence of proteins and carbohydrates has been detected.