Histological and histochemical studies on the Harderian gland in native chickens

The objective of this investigation was to study the histological and histochemical structure of the Harderian gland in native chickens. Samples were obtained from 10 male and 10 female adult healthy native chickens. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin eosin, Verhoeff ’s, Masson’s trichrome, alcian blue (pH 2.5), periodic acid-Schiff and Gomori’s method for reticulum. The multilobular Harderian gland of native chickens was covered by a thin connective tissue which consisted of adipose tissue, parasympathetic ganglia, nerve bundles, collagen, elastic and reticular fibres. Plasma cells were present in interlobular areas. The Harderian gland was compound tubulo-alveolar type. The Harderian duct was lined by columnar epithelial cells of varying height. Goblet cells were not found in Harderian duct. Histochemical staining revealed that the all epithelial cells of both corpus glandulae and ducts contained both neutral and acidic mucins. No significant sex-based differences were found. It is concluded that the general histological and histochemical structure of the Harderian gland in native chickens is similar to that of domestic geese, but that there are also some differences.