Electron Microscopic Study of Harderian Gland of Tropical Bird Indian Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica

The structure of Harderian gland (HG) of tropical avian species has never been studied in detail. In the present study we investigated the structure of HG of a t ropical avian species adopting light- and transmission electron microscopy. HG from both male and female adult birds, P. asiatica (N=5 each sex) were studied from light microscopic (hematoxylin-eosin staining) and transmission electron microscopic perspectives. The tubulo-alveolar HG of P. asiatica did not reveal any sexual dimorphism as reported in other birds. The HG of this bird is encapsulated by thick connective tissue consisting of collagen fibers, nerve fibers and blood vessels. HG lobules are lined with columnar epithelial cells. Plasma cells are found in interlobular spaces. The columnar epithelial cells are secretory in nature and have both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula surrounding the nucleus when observed in transmission electron microscope. There is active Golgi apparatus with dilated cisternae. Mitochondria are well developed, with elongated cristae, and are scattered throughout the cytoplasm along with abundant free ribosomes. Lipid droplets are present in the cytoplasm along with two types of materials, electron-luscent and electron-dense. We could trace the various stages of synthesis of the secretory material for merocrine release. Thus, the light microscopic and ultrastructural organization of HG of P. asiatica have been elucidated.