Anatomical and histological study of Large intestine in Guinea fowl

Guinea fowls belong to the pheasant’s category. Owing to the functions of the large intestine in the physiology of digestion, like incorporation in water absorption, microbial and immunologic activities, it has a significant role in bird's body. As there are some differences in these organs in different species, and also due to the lack of research on pheasant’s category like guinea fowl in these aspects, this study was performed. For this study 20 adult male and female guinea fowl were selected and their large intestines were grossly studied, then tissue samples were taken, and processed through routine paraffin sectioning and stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin method. The macroscopic and microscopic results did not reveal basic differences with other birds such as Gallus domesticus. The statistical analyses did not reveal significant differences regarding sizes of this organ in male and female spieces. Special features were seen in the cecum. In contrast to other birds, cecal villi was unclear. Also this organ was tubular shape in contrast to other pheasant’s category. Histological study showed that the cecal tonsils were located on one side of the cecum wall.