Arterial Vascularization of the Uropygial Glands (Gl. Uropygialis) in the Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and Silver Polish (Gallus gallus domesticus)

This study focused on the morphological characteristics of the uropygial glands of the Japanese quail and silver polish, particularly the arterial nourishment. With this respect, coloured-latex injected animals were dissected and their glands and related arteries were observed. The gland in the Japanese quail was relatively longer than that in the silver polish. The first caudal segmental arteries in the Japanese quail were specialized as the uropygial gland artery while the fourth caudal segmental ones were continued as the uropygial gland artery in the silver polish. Branches from the second and third caudal segmental arteries and skin also contributed bilaterally to the vascularization of the gland in the Japanese quail. Observing the more complex arterial structure in the Japanese quail suggests more active uropygial gland in this species, when compared with the silver polish.