Histoarchitectural and Histoenzymatic Studies on Gizzard of Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)

Background: The gizzard is a muscular stomach of the Gastrointestinal tract of bird that holds sparing crystals which aids as the mechanical multure component for food material to be ingested by birds. Its specialty is to grinding of ingested food material after secretion of HCL (Hydrochloric Acid) and pepsinogen enzymes in the proventriculus. Methods: The twelve samples of gizzard of guinea fowl were fixed in 10% NBF (Neutral buffered formalin) and Bouin’s fluid for histological while chilled acetone and chilled ethanol for histochemical studies. The fresh unfixed tissues were used for the cryostat section for the demonstration of different enzymes. Result: The tubular glands were main feature of mucosal layer but sometime acinar glands also found as the replacement of tubular glands with lymphoid aggregation. The horizontal koilin was also noticed between long mucosal folds. Tunica submucosa was discovered in squeezed manner in comparison to the mucosa. The tunica muscularis has shown inner circular and outer longitudinal as the thick layer. It was intermingling with collagen and elastic fibers. Histochemically the gizzard was examined for glycogen, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase.