Normal Anatomical and Histochemical Characteristics of the Lacrimal Glands in the American Bison and Cattle

Abstract

Dorsal lacrimal glands, superior glands of the third eyelid and Harderian glands (deep gland of the third eyelid) from 19 bison and 18 cattle free of apparent ocular disease were examined to compare the normal anatomical properties of these glands. All glands were characterized and measured (length and width). The gross anatomy of the dorsal lacrimal glands was similar, with the exception of a bipartite gland in cattle. The bison's superior gland of the third eyelid and Harderian gland was longer as compared with cattle. A subset of the bison and cattle samples (five bison and five cattle) was sectioned for histological and histochemical analysis. The histology of the dorsal lacrimal and superior gland of the third eyelid revealed tubuloalveolar cells with basophilic vacuolated cytoplasm in bison and eosinophilic granular cytoplasm in cattle. The Harderian glands consisted of a tubuloalveolar anterior part combined with large lumens acini lined with cuboidal epithelium in the posterior part; the posterior part of the bison Harderian gland was more predominant than in cattle samples. Mucosubstance histochemistry revealed acidic and neutral glycoproteins with similar staining patterns in all glands of both species.

Histological, histochemical and fine structure studies of the lacrimal gland and superficial gland of the third eyelid and their significance on the proper function of the eyeball in alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

“…It was also showed that there were no distinctions of the size and structure of the gland associated with sexual dimorphism. Similar results were obtained in the morphometric investigations of roe deer, American bison, cattle, and Iranian River buffalo [19,36,42]. The LG in examined alpacas, consistently with other research, was clearly divided into a lobes [2,36,42,43].…”

“…It was elongate in shape and was light pink in colour. In gross appearance, it was an uniform, undivided gland, which was different than in Pinard et al [36] study. Pinard et al [36] showed that in American bison (Bison bison) and cattle the LG of both species were similar in appearance, with the exception of an accessory lobe in cattle.…”

“…In gross appearance, it was an uniform, undivided gland, which was different than in Pinard et al [36] study. Pinard et al [36] showed that in American bison (Bison bison) and cattle the LG of both species were similar in appearance, with the exception of an accessory lobe in cattle. The main body of LG in American bison and cattle was flattened, oval, pale yellow and lobulated in appearance [36].…”

“…Pinard et al [36] showed that in American bison (Bison bison) and cattle the LG of both species were similar in appearance, with the exception of an accessory lobe in cattle. The main body of LG in American bison and cattle was flattened, oval, pale yellow and lobulated in appearance [36]. Additionally, LG in American bison was longer than in cattle [36].…”

“…The main body of LG in American bison and cattle was flattened, oval, pale yellow and lobulated in appearance [36]. Additionally, LG in American bison was longer than in cattle [36]. According to Mohammadpour [29] and Shadkhast and Bigham [42], the LGs in humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and Iranian River buffalo were elongated, flattened, undivided and irregular in outline.…”