Histological Study of Exocrine Portion of Pancreas in Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

Abstract

The histological structure of the exocrine pancreas was examined in the current study for fifteen healthy adult female Laying hens. The study showed the pancreas was serous tubuloacinar gland, which has both an exocrine and an endocrine component, the parenchyma of the gland was encircled by a thin layer of loose connective tissue capsule. The exocrine part formed of acini (secretory unites) and excretory ducts. In the current study, the shape of the acini were ovoid, rounded or elongated, were lined by a single layer of pyramidal to columnar cells. The duct system started from centroacinar cells and was organized as intercalated ducts, intra lobular ducts, inter lobular ducts, and main pancreatic ducts. The intercalated ducts were lined by single layer of simple squamous, intra lobular ducts was encircled by simple cuboidal cells, interlobular ducts was lined with simple columnar epithelium and the main ducts were lined with simple columnar epithelial cells. The pancreas of Laying hens was identical to other bird species, but with a few minor species.