A Histochemical Study of the Avian Liver

Abstract

The enzymatic histochemistry of the avian hver is described and compared with the reported results on the mammalian Uver. The following results were obtained: Acid phosphatase staining was located in the Kupffer cells lining the sinusoids; some localization occurred on the sinusoidal margins of the hepatic cells in the region of the terminal hepatic venules. Adenosine triphosphatase staining was located on the canalicular boundaries of the hepatic cells. Non-specific esterase staining was generally diffuse but some localization occurred in the hepatic cells adjacent to both the terminal hepatic and portal venules. The highest concentration of alkaline phosphatase and nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase stains were located in the hepatic cells in the regions of the terminal hepatic venules. Glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase localizations were greatest in the hepatic cells in the vicinity of the portal canals. Malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide diaphorase exhibited diffuse reactions throughout the hepatic parenchyma. ABSTRACTHearts of embryonic turkeys, 10 days and older, and young poults, 1 day, 1 week, and 6 weeks old, were fixed in either cold (4 C C.) 10% formalin or Rossman's mixture. Adjacent sections, 7^. in thickness, were stained with: (a) the periodic acid-Schiff technic of McManus with hematoxylin counterstain and salivary amylase controls, (b) hematoxylin and eosin, (c) Mallory's triple stain, and (d) Movat's pentachrome stain.The first histologic indication of conduction cells was seen in the hearts of 15-day embryos. These cells were seen both in the subendocardial region and perivascularly, especially in relation to the larger vessels present in the myocardium. Results indicate that conduction cells: (1) arise de novo, (2) occur extensively throughout the turkey heart, (3) are void of stainable glycogen, (4) are surrounded by a reticular connective tissue sheath, (5) possess striations, (6) are often binucleate, (7) are appreciably larger than the usual myocardial cells, and (8) usually are joined together to form fibers with no apparent intercalated discs separating the individual cells as in true myocardial fibers. by guest on May 14, 2015 http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ Downloaded from

Gross Morphological, Histological and Histochemical Studies on Liver of Pati Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam

“…The activity of non specific esterase was moderate in the liver of Pati duck (Fig 15). Similar observations were reported by Ratzlafe and Tyler (1973) in avian liver.…”

“…The alkaline phosphatase activity was located in the hepatic cells in the regions of the terminal hepatic venules. Ratzlafe and Tyler (1973) in avian liver reported the same. The activity of the acid phosphatase was weak in all age groups of pati ducks.…”

“…The adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was strong in all the age groups of birds (Fig 14). Adenosine triphosphatase activity was located on the canalicular boundaries of the hepatic cells as recorded by Ratzlafe and Tyler (1973) in avian liver. The activity of non specific esterase was moderate in the liver of Pati duck (Fig 15).…”