Macro and Micro anatomical study of Harderian Gland of Duck and Fowl

In the present investigation, 6 numbers of each apparently healthy adult Pati duck and local fowl of Assam were utilized for detailed gross, histomorphological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies. The Harderian gland in the Patiducks  and Fowl were located in the medioventral region of the orbital cavity attached along with the eye ball. The gland was not having any grossly demercablelobulation but still there was dorsally slightly narrow part whereas the ventral part was somewhat more wider. In duck, from the capsule, thin connective tissue septa penetrated into the gland and divided parenchyma it into lobes and lobules which were unequal and polygonal in shape. Each lobule contained a central lumen. From the capsule and septa thin streaks of interstitial connective tissue penetrated between the acini and tubules. The columnar epithelial cells lining the acini showed considerable variation in height depending on their functional state. The nerve fibers were also extending from the capsule inside the parenchyma along with the other connective tissue fibers. Harderian gland of Fowl was also covered with a thin connective tissue capsule and consisted of coarse collagen, fine reticular and elastic fibers, blood vessels,  and nerve fibers, which were penetrating the parenchyma very frequently by forming septa and trabeculae. The glands were to be of multilobulartubulo-alveolar type and emptied into a wide lumen which was lined by columnar epithelial cells. The histochemical sections were found positive for PAS Alcian blue. The reaction for acid phosphates and alkaline phosphatase were also moderate to intense in the harderian gland. The scanning electron microphotograph of harderian gland showed the acini, secretory granules and connective tissue fibers in the duck and fowl. The secretions of the gland were accommodated inside the acini and looks like a woollen ball.