The avian esophagus shows structural and functional differences related to feeding habits and habitat, with mucous secretions and amino acids playing key roles in protection and metabolism. The present study aimed to comparatively investigate the histological, histochemical, and amino acid profile characteristics of the cervical esophagus in the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) and the red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus). A total of eight adult individuals from each bird species (sandgrouse and lapwing) were collected from the Al-Samawah Desert, Al-Muthanna Province, and AlYusufiyah District, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq, respectively, between October 2025 and January 2026. Histological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), and Alcian blue (AB, pH 2.5) stains. Amino acid profiles of cervical esophageal tissues were analyzed using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The histological results demonstrated that the cervical esophagus in both bird species consisted of three main layers: tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica adventitia, while the tunica submucosa and muscularis mucosae were absent. The mucosa was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium supported by a collagen-rich lamina propria. In the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse, the esophageal glands were located mainly within the lamina propria, whereas in the red-wattled lapwing, they appeared as intraepithelial glands. Histochemical staining revealed strong PAS reactivity and moderate AB reactivity in the mucous secretions of both bird species, indicating the presence of neutral and acidic mucopolysaccharide. The HPLC analysis identified 18 amino acids in the cervical esophageal tissues of both species. Glutamine showed the highest concentration, whereas methionine exhibited the lowest concentration in both birds. Most amino acids did not differ significantly between the two species (p > 0.05). However, glutamic acid showed a significant increase in the Iraqi pin-tailed sandgrouse compared with the red-wattled lapwing (p ≤ 0.05). The present findings suggest that the cervical esophagi of both bird species may exhibit structural and biochemical adaptations associated with feeding habits and ecological conditions
The amine group (NH2) and the carboxyl group (COOH-) are the fundamental components of amino acids. They regulate several essential physiological functions of organisms and are found in all forms of life, including humans, plants, and microorganisms. Furthermore, they serve as vital energy sources and also act as neurotransmitters. An analysis of the kidneys of Pterocles alchata, an Iraqi Pin-tailed sandgrouse, revealed the presence of 18 specific amino acids. The data indicate that there were no significant differences in the total amounts of amino acids among the three renal lobes. The concentrations in the anterior, middle, and posterior lobes were measured to be 14.154 ą97. 273, 12.437 ą87. 255, and 11.882 ą88. 157 correspondingly, w
... Show MoreThis study was conducted with the Iraqi Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata). For this purpose, five adult birds weighing between 195–250 g were dissected and the spleen was removed. The organs were placed in 0.9% normal saline and fixed in 10% formalin and then preserved in 70% alcohol. Histological sections were prepared using the paraffin wax method, which involves several steps: Dehydration, clarification and embedding. The present results show that the spleen is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue containing collagen fibres and smooth muscle. A series of connective tissue trabeculae extend from this capsule and penetrate the parenchyma of the spleen. The parenchyma consists of two main regions: the white pulp and the re
... Show MoreThis study was conducted with the Iraqi Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata). For this purpose, five adult birds weighing between 195–250 g were dissected and the spleen was removed. The organs were placed in 0.9% normal saline and fixed in 10% formalin and then preserved in 70% alcohol. Histological sections were prepared using the paraffin wax method, which involves several steps: Dehydration, clarification and embedding. The present results show that the spleen is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue containing collagen fibres and smooth muscle. A series of connective tissue trabeculae extend from this capsule and penetrate the parenchyma of the spleen. The parenchyma consists of two main regions: the white pulp an
... Show MoreThe adrenal gland is a vital endocrine gland that secretes many important hormones in the daily life of birds. It is located in the Iraqi Pterocles alchata bird on both sides of the aorta in the front and side of the cranial lobe of the kidney at the caudal end of the lungs, triangular shape with a creamy yellow color. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the weight and length of the right and left glands. Histologically the gland of the sandgrouse bird capsule contains autonomic nodes consisting of nerve cells and the average thickness of the capsule is 42.69±1.81μm, the parenchyma of the gland is divided into two areas; the cortex and medulla in addition to the blood sinuses. The cortex area is divided into
... Show MoreThis research explored the physical form of the Iraqi sandgrouse, as well as the internal structure of its trachea histologically. To achieve this, five (5) male adult sandgrouse from Al-Ghazel market, Baghdad, were used. Appropriate approval was obtained to perform this research on animals. The birds were anesthetized with chloroform and euthanized before being dissected. The trachea was taken from each bird, and cleaned with 0.9% NaCl, for use in the morphology of the cartilaginous rings and in histology studies. The present findings indicate that the trachea is a flexible tube made of cartilage and measures approximately 4.5 ± 0.167 in length extending from the end of the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic cavity, where it separa
... Show MoreThe present study was conducted on the Iraqi Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) to study the lung's morphological description and histological structure. This study was used 5 samples of adult male sandgrouse bird. The birds were dissected. The lungs were removed from the coelomic cavity, cleaned to remove impurities, and photographed to describe their morphological features. The samples were fixed using formalin (10%) solution for 36-48 hours and then preserved in alcohol (70%) to prepare the microscopic slides. The results showed that the lung of the Iraqi sandgrouse bird is red in color, has a trapezoidal shape and has three surfaces (costal, visceral, and vertebral). The costal surface shows ribs impressions that extend f
... Show MoreThe present study represent the histological and histochemical structure of the esophagus of laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis, one of the wild birds, which feed on the seeds( grainvorous).The result showed that the esophagus long tubular quit wide and highly distensible organ situated at the right side of the nick , lie between pharynx and stomach it was divided into cervical and thoracic part , the cervical part longer than the thoracic part, and the crop was merely enlargement fusiform in shape which located at the entrance of the thorax. Esophagus parts showed that composed of four layer ;the mucosa, sub mucosa, muscular and adventitia or serosa, the mucosal layer was arranged in folds which was longer in the c
... Show MoreThe wall of the esophagus in Mabuya aurata septemaeniata as in high vertebrates consists of four layers, mucosa, submucosa,muscularis and serosa. Mucosa forms many unorganized short and long folds penetrate inside the esophageal cavity. Mucosa contains two sub layers, first one is lining epithelium which includes two types of cells, simple ciliated columnar epithelial cells and goblet cells, second one is lamina properia. Mucosa does not have muscularis mucosa. There is no esophageal glands within esophagus. Many special stains were used as (Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS)) to detect Carbohydrates in goblet cells. Alcian blue were used to detect the amount of goblet cells within lining epithelium. Alcian blue + PAS together confirm that the
... Show MoreObjective: Certain advantages of donkeys are still not listed as for other equine species. Moreover, donkeys lack comprehensive scientific studies. The present study examines the histological architecture and histochemical characteristics of the esophagus in the Iraqi local breed donkey (Equus asinus). Materials and Methods: Eight esophagus samples were collected from a local breed donkey. Tissue specimens (~1 cm³) were collected from the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions of the esoph¬agus and processed via routine histological technique. The tissue sections were stained with hema¬toxylin and eosin, Massons Trichrome, and combined Alcian blue (pH 2.5) plus PAS (AB-PAS). Results: The esophagus of the local breed donkey h
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