Exploring the morphology of the glandula uropygialis in Denizli rooster: 3 tesla MRI and histological investigation

The aim of this study was to examine the preen gland (uropygial gland) of Denizli rooster, an endemic species for Turkey, both macroscopic and by magnetic resonance imaging and to present its histological formation. Five adult male subjects were used for this study. Although some of the findings of the preen gland in Denizli rooster were quite similar to the previous studies on the various avian species, widely branching secondary sinuses of the both two lobes of the gland were formed different from those. It was observed that the sinuses of these two lobes were connected to each other by forming passageway at the isthmus region of the gland. MR images showed bright white hyper-echoic features due to high fat secretion of the preen gland. Therefore, it was determined that the preen gland could be easily isolated from the surrounding tissues. It was also observed in the MR images that the gland in the Denizli cock has a pair of symmetrical bilateral lobes and is located on both sides. This connection gave rise to thought that the problems occurred by the blockage of the one of the primary canals can be solved by the compensation of another canal connected through this passageway. Thus, the secretion of the gland could be maintained properly.