A Periodic Comparison of Harderian Gland in Henna Partridge (Alectoris chukar) According to Different Developmental Stages

Background: The present study aimed at determining histological structure and histochemical properties of the henna partridge (Alectoris chukar) Harderian gland periodically. Objectives: For this purpose, the Harderian glands of 12 (6 females + 6 males) healthy henna partridges aged 3 and 6 months were used. Methods: Totally removed Harderian gland tissue samples were kept in 10% neutral formolin for 36 hours and fixed. After washing, dehydrating, and polishing with known histological techniques, tissue pieces were blocked in paraffin. Results: We found that a thin connective tissue capsule surrounds the Harderian gland of the henna partridge and that the capsule sends septums into the gland and divides the gland into lobes and lobules. It was observed that the corpus glandulae consist of low or high prismatic epithelial cells. Within each lobe, there is a single main draining channel which has a very large lumen along with primary draining channels. Primary and main draining channel epithelial cells have a single-layered cuboidal structure. By Gordon-Sweet staining, it was found that reticular fiber bundles started from the connective tissue capsule that surrounded the organ and spread by branching. The reticular fiber bundles extended in thin strands to the periphery of the corpus glandulae. These reticular fiber bundles in the regions where the connective tissue septums widened are thicker and form a network. The reticular fiber bundles are seen in the basal part of the epithelial cells forming the main draining channel and especially in the crypt areas. Reticular fibers are also found around blood vessels. Strong Alcian blue (AB)-positive epithelial cells are observed in the corpus glandulae in AB pH=2.5 staining, but no periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive epithelial cells are observed in PAS staining. While the majority of primary draining channel cells show a strong AB-positive reaction, a few cells showed a weak PAS-positive reaction. Regarding the main draining channel epithelium, goblet cells show a weak and strong AB-positive reaction in AB pH=2.5 staining method, respectively and a weak PAS-positive reaction in PAS staining method. Conclusion: In line with these findings, no significant difference was found in terms of general histological structure and histochemical properties of the 3- and 6-month-old henna partridge Harderian gland.