Histological and histochemical study of the proventriculus and gizzard of the Passer domesticus

A histological and histochemical study of the stomach (proventriculus and gizzard) of the Passer domesticus was carried out, under light microscopy.In the present study, we prepared 12 adult Passer domesticus (both sex) captured in the country side of Mashhad, Iran. After euthanasia with ether inhalation, the digestive tract was exposed and fragments of the stomach (proventriculus and gizzard) were fixed in 10%formaline for 24 hours. After dehydration and treatment with xylene, the fragments were imbedded in paraffin wax. Histological sections of 6 micrometers were stained by Hematoxyloin and Eosin, PAS, Vang Gieson, Masson trichrome, Verhof, Alcian blue method.The analysis of the histological section of stomach in Passer domesticus revealed that the wall of the stomach in constituted by the following layers: Tunica mucosa of proventriculus and of the gizzard present folds by simple columnar epithelium. We observed muscularis mucosa in proventriculus but did not observe it in gizzard. In the lamina propria of both regions, there are simple tubular glands. The tunica muscularis of proventriculus consists of inner longitudinal, intermediary circular and external longitudinal layers of smooth muscles. In the gizzard, it consists of an internal longitudinal and external circular layer. The cuticle is laid over the tunica mucosa of the gizzard was staining with Verhof and PAS.