The Histology of Thyroid Gland of Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Regarding Its Age

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, the Vitebsk State Academy of Vet- erinary Medicine, Republic of Belarus

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to determine the features of the microscopic structure of the thyroid gland in a grey heron regarding the age. Material for this study was selected from the grey herons living in natural conditions in Vitebsk and Minsk regions, as well as in the Vitebsk zoological park. Histology of the thy- roid gland in the grey heron chicks shows that the body is structurally and functionally mature. The parenchyma of the thyroid gland in Heron was represented by all structural elements. Follicular cells predominantly flat or cubical form the wall of each follicle. In the glands of adult birds there is a smooth increase in the diameter of small, large and medium-sized follicles.

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