Ветеринарная наука и технологии

Preliminary Anatomical and Histological Study of Lacrimal Gland in Lori Sheep

Abstract

Mohsen Abbasi, Hamid Karimi, Ahmad Gharzi

The lacrimal gland is an important part of lacrimal apparatus that plays an essential role in eye health. In this research, anatomical and histological structures of lacrimal glands of Lori sheep were evaluated. For this purpose, thirty healthy and mature Lori sheep were selected in slaughter house and then lacrimal glands removed. After anatomical and biometrical evaluation, lacrimal glands were fixed and processed for histological sectioning and then sections stained with H&E, Alcian blue and Periodic acid Schiff methods. The results showed that in this species the lacrimal gland lies in dorso-lateral aspect of orbit on the eyeball. The lacrimal gland is surrounded with a connective tissue containing adipose tissue. The gland shows an irregular-rounded to oval shape and pale brown in color. The mean weight, length, width and thickness of the gland were 1.48 ± 0.3 gr, 26.98 ± 0.37 mm, 20.11 ± 0.31 mm and 3.58 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. Histological examinations revealed that the lacrimal gland is lobulated and cells of parenchyme are mixed including serous and mucous cells. Intralobular, interlobular and excretion ducts of the gland are lined with cuboidal, stratified cuboidal and pseudo stratified columnar epithelium, correspondingly. In some ducts goblet cells are present among epithelial cells.