Histomorphological and histochemical studies on the preen gland of cortisone-treated male pigeons
Bhattacharyya, S.P.; Sahu, C.
Anatomischer Anzeiger 140(1-2): 162-169
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2786 PMID: 185924 Document Number: 101019
Intramuscular administration of cortisone acetate (5 mg daily to each for 15 days) to adult male pigeons provoked hypertrophy of the preen gland. Desquamation and loss of alveolar differentiated cells were also accelerated to a great extent. Significant changes observed in the histochemical composition of the alveoli of the preen gland of cortisone-treated pigeons were: (a) a greater accumulation of sudanophilic lipids within the alveoli, (b) an increase in the content of acidic lipids, (c) a decrease in the activity of acid phosphatase, and (d) an overall augmentation of the reaction for alkaline phosphatase. There was, however, no gross change in the activities of nonspecific esterases and lipase. The probable significance of the cortisone-induced glandular hypertrophy and histochemical changes has been briefly discussed.