Histochemical and histological studies on the pancreas in mature pigeon (Columba Livia)

The objective of this investigation was to study the histochemical and histological structure of the pancreas in pigeons. Samples were obtained from 9 male and 9 female adult clinically healthy pigeons. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin eosin, Verhoeff’s, Gomori’s method for reticulum, Masson’s trichrome and Maldonado’s methods for pancreatic islet cells. The pancreas of adult pigeons was serous tubuloacinar gland which covered by a thin connective tissue capsule consisted of collagenous, elastic and reticular fibres. The all connective tissue fibers were observed into pancreatic islands, as well as, in inter acinar connective tissues. Parasympathetic ganglia were present in interlobular connective tissue, but lobulation was not clear.The gland’s parenchyma was consisted of exocrine portion and pancreatic islands. The pancreatic islands were composed of large Alpha and small Beta islets but mixed islets were not observed. The Alpha islets were composed of Alpha and Beta cells, whereas, Beta islets containing Beta and Delta cells. The duct system composed of intercalated duct, intralobular duct, interlobular duct and main excretory duct. Goblet cells were not seen in the epithelium of duct systems, but the mucosal folds and basophilic staining border observed in the apical surface of ductual epithelium. In addition, ductual glands were absent in the wall of duct systems. No significant sex-based differences were found. It is concluded that the general histochemical and histological properties of the pancreas gland in pigeons are similar to those of geese, turkey and some other avian species, but that there are also some differences.