Introduction: Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is widely spread in Egypt and acts as a reservoir for many diseases. Few study described the anatomical and histological picture of its gastrointestinal tract which plays an important role in its nutrition habits in correlation to transmission of diseases.
Materials and Methods:The present work was carried out on ten cattle egrets of different age and sex. After euthanized; five birds were subjected to normal dissection to study their gross anatomy by injection of 10% formalin. The GIT of the other five birds were sampled and directed to the microscopic anatomy (light, electron microscopy and histochemical study).
Results:The lining epithelium and glands all over the GIT, except the alveolar cells of the proventriculus, were strong alcian blue and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) positive. The cone shape proventriculus was covered internally with an eosinophilic mucous layer, the C shape gizzard, and spherical pyloric part of the stomach was covered internally with soft gel likeeosinophilic mucous koilin layer and desquamated cells. The U-shape duodenum and the thicker wall jejunum till the Michel's diverticulum, after this diverticulum ileum starts with straight, short and less numerous intestinal villi. The single left cecum of lymphoid type with nodular lymphoid tissue. Enteroendocrine cells were observed all over the stomach and intestine which demonstrated by Grimelius' silver method. Methyl green pyronin method used demonstrates Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
Conclusion:All micro and microscopic features in the study indicate that the cattle egret is carnivores' bird.
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