Research Article

Anatomy of Bursa of Fabricius of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam at Different Stages of Development

A. Deka, J. D. Mahanta and P. Perumal

  • Page No:  057 - 063
  • Published online: 14 Mar 2020
  • DOI : HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.23910/IJBSM/2020.11.1.2069c

  • Abstract
  •  perumalponraj@gmail.com

The present investigation was conducted on the histomorphological, histo-chemical and scanning electron microscopical observation on the Bursa of Pati duck of Assam at different stages of development. The experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2019. In current study, the Bursa of Fabricius was observed at 1st week of age of Pati duck and underwent atrophy at 24th week of age. The Bursa of Fabricius was found at the dorsal aspect of the Proctodeum. The length, breadth, thickness and weight of Bursa of Fabricius showed increasing trend from 1st week to 16th week of age of Pati duck. Histological, the folds of Bursa of Fabricius contained numerous polyhedral shaped lymphoid follicles at the lamina propria and it was composed of outer cortex and inner medulla. A layer of undifferentiated epithelial cells occupied at the periphery of the medulla, which was separated from the cortex by a capillary layer. Histochemicaly, the undifferentiated epithelial cell of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius was showing strong reaction for acid phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase. In scanning electron microscope, the Bursal folds of Bursa of Fabricius contained lining epithelium and lymphoid follicle. This follicle contained numerous lymphocytes along with connective tissue fibers. The Bursal follicle was situated in lamina propria of Bursal folds. Lamina propria and interfollicular area also contained connective tissue fibers.

Keywords :   Anatomy, bursa of fabricius, pati duck, postnatal, development

  • Introduction

    Duck husbandry provides an additional source of income to the rural women of these states. Ducks are one of the excellent converters of low quality waste products into high quality animal protein in the form of egg and meat. Duck eggs have great demand in the states of Assam as it has high biological value and considered to be a delicacy food item. The Pati duck population constitutes a major indigenous duck variety in the state of Assam. The lymph nodes play an important role in defense mechanism of Pati duck by secreting IgA. Similar studies were conducted in other poultry species in other organs (Abdalla et al., 2011; AbuAli et al., 2019; Madkour et al., 2019; Rabbani et al., 2019; Udoumoh et al., 2019). Bursa of Fabricius is covered by thin serosal layer and the inner surface was made up of several mucosal folds which are projected into lumen. Similar type of work was reported in other avian species such as Long-Legged Buzzard (Ebru et al.,2015), Ostrich (Peng et al.,2012) Turkey (Gultiken et al.,2010) chicken (Bacha and Wood, 1990) and duckling of Bangladesh (Sultan et al.,2011). Bacha and Wood (1990) in Chicken, Indu et al. (2005) in White Pekin duck and Akter et al. (2006) in broiler Chicken reported that Bursal follicle was the component of inner medulla and outer cortex and an undifferentiated epithelial cell layer occupied at the margin of medulla and separated by a thin capillary layer. Cortex is tightly packed with small lymphocytes and medulla is loosely packed with fewer lymphocytes (King et al., 1977; King and Mclelland, 1975). Being an indigenous variety of Assam and very scanty literature is available on the micro anatomical study on the Bursa of Fabriciusof Pati duck. Hence, the present study was designed to establish anatomical norms on Bursa of Fabricius of Pati duck of Assam at different stages of development. The result of the present study will be helpful to the veterinarian and health experts to select the suitable duck for breeding purpose and useful for characterization of the duck.


  • Materials and Methods

    The present studies were conducted on 45 numbers of Pati duck of Assam of irrespective of sex at different stages of development. The experiment was conducted from 2017 to 2019. The ducks were divided into five group viz., 1st week, 4th week, 16th week, 24th week and 42nd weeks of age. The ducks were procured from Pathsala and nearby area of Barpeta district of Assam. The experimental duck were brought to the Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati and were sacrificed according to the standard method (Gracy, 1986).The duck of each age group were utilized for histological and micrometrical observation. The samples were collected from lymph node of all age groups of duck. These samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution and were processed as per the standard technique (Luna, 1968). The paraffin blocks were sectioned in Shandon Finesse microtome at 5µm thickness and the sections were stained with Mayer’s Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique for cellular details, Van Gieson’s method for collagen fibres, Gomori’s method for reticular fibres, Hart’s method for elastic fibres and Bielchowsky’s method for axis cylinder and dendrite.  For Histochemical studies, they were sacrificed and immediately collected the lymph nodes (both cervical and lumbar).The samples were then preserved at liquid nitrogen (-196°C).Samples were made cryosections (-20°C) at 10µm in thickness and were temporally stored at (-22°C). They were than treated for histochemical staining with the following methods:

    a.  Gomori’s alkaline phosphatase cobalt method (Singh and Sulochana, 1978)

    b. Gomori’s method for acid phosphatase (Singh and Sulochana, 1978)

    c. Lead method for ATPase (Bancroft, 2008)

    d. Gomori’s method for non-specific esterase (Bancroft, 2008)

     For Ultra-structural studies, the tissue samples were collected from lymph node and were processed as per the technique of Parsons et al.(1991). The samples were cut into small pieces of 2 mm size and were fixed in 2% gluteraldehyde solution for 4 hours at 4 oC. The samples were subjected to the following steps:

    a. Washing: The tissue sections were washed in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer. 3 changes of 15 minutes each at 4 °C.

    b. Post-fixation: The tissues were post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer at 4 °C.

    c. Washing: The tissue samples were washed in 0.1M sodium cacodylate buffer 3 changes of 15 min each at 4 °C.

    d. Dehydration: By ascending grades of acetone.

    e. Drying: By tetra methyl saline method (Dey et al., 1989)

    f. Mounting: The dry specimens were mounted on aluminium stubs.

    g. Coating: Gold coating was applied in the tissue samples in a JFC-1100 (Joel) ion sputter coater.

    h. The stubs with the tissue samples were loaded in the JMS-35CF (Joel) scanning electron microscope operated at 20KV.

    The statistical analysis of the data was performed as per standard procedures. Means were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey’s post hoc test to determine significant differences among the different experimental groups (Statistical Analysis System for Windows, SAS Version 9.3; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, 2001).Differences with values of p<0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.


  • Results and Discussion

    Grossly, the Bursa of Fabricius of Pati duck was observed from 1st week to 16th week of age on the dorsal aspect of cloaca which opened at the dorsal surface of the proctodeum (Figure 1).


    The Bursa of Fabricius was cylindrical to elongated structure and off white in colour (Figure 2). The Bursa of Fabricius underwent atrophy at 24th week of age of Pati duck. Similar findings were observed by King (1977) in duck, Sultan et al. (2011) in duckling of Bangladesh and Kumar et al.(2014) in Khaki Campbell duck.


    The mean biometrical value of length of Bursa of Fabricius was 18.79±0.64, 23.79±0.73 and 28.33±1.93 during 1st week, 4th week and 16th week of age of Pati duck, respectively (Table 1). The average value of breadth of Bursa of Fabricius was 3.24±0.28, 3.94±0.31 and 5.10±1.16 during 1st week, 4th week, 16th week of age of Pati duck, respectively (Table 1). The mean value of thickness was 0.43±0.07, 0.70±0.04 and 0.92±0.01 during 1st week, 4th week and 16th week of age of Pati duck, respectively (Table 1, 2).The mean value of weight was 0.20±0.02, 0.38±0.02 and  1.77±0.02 g during 1st week, 4th week and 16th week of age of Pati duck, respectively (Table 1, 2).


    The length, breath, thickness and weight of Bursa of Fabricius was highly significant (p<0.01) between the various age groups. The present value of length of Bursa of Fabricius found in Pati duck was lower (27.01±0.062) than the earlier reports in Khaki Campbell duck at 4th week of age (Kumar et al.,2013). Similarly, Kumar et al. (2014) reported the lower value of breadth (3.34±0.011 mm) and weight (0.22±0.003 g) in Khaki Campbell duck at 4th week of age. However, Sultan et al. (2011) recorded that the length, breadth and weight of the Bursa of Fabricius of duckling of Bangladesh were 1.87±0.15 cm, 0.53±0.07 cm and 0.22±0.069 g, respectively which corroborated the present findings.

    Histologically, in the present study, the Bursa of Fabricius was covered by thin serosal layer. The inner surface of the Bursa of Fabricius was consisting of several mucosal folds (plicae) which were projected into the lumen. These findings were in accordance with the findings of Ebru et al. (2015) in Long-Legged Buzzard, Peng et al.(2012) in Ostrich, Gultiken et al.(2010) in Turkey. Adjacent to the follicles the epithelium lining of the fold become simple columnar where as other part of fold contained pseudostratified (Figure 3). These present study findings were similarly reported in chicken (Bacha and Wood, 1990) and in duckling of Bangladesh (Sultan et al.,2011) and in Ostrich (Song et al., 2012). Numerous polyhedral shaped follicles were found in the lamina propria of each fold. Each Bursal follicle was composed of outer cortex and inner medulla. A layer of undifferentiated epithelial cells occupied at the periphery of the medulla, which was separated from the cortex by a capillary layer (Figure 4).


    Similar findings were reported by Bacha and Wood (1990) in Chicken, Indu et al. (2005) in White Pekin duck and Akter et al. (2006) in broiler Chicken. This capillary layer was more distinct according to advancement of age. Similar findings were supported in Khaki Campbell duck (Kumar et al., 2013). The colour of the cortex was dark compared to medulla. Cortex contained closely packed small lymphocytes. The paler medulla contained fewer lymphocytes of various sizes. These statements were supported by King et al. (1977) in duck and King and Mclelland (1975) in fowl. Some vacuoles were also observed in the medulla of follicles at 16th weeks of age of Pati duck. These lymphoid follicles were surrounded by abundant reticular fibers (Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7) and collagen fibers, few elastic fibers, nerve fibers (Figure 8). Similar findings were reported in Ostrich chicks (Song et al., 2012) and in Kadaknath birds (Kanasiya et al., 2018). The Bursa of Fabricius was devoid of lamina muscularis mucosae as well as Tunica sub mucosa layer.


    Histochemically, in the present study, the follicle associated epithelium of Bursa of Fabricius showed weak reaction while the undifferentiated epithelial cell or cortico-medullary junction of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius showed intense reaction of alkaline phosphatase at lamina propria (Figure 9). The cortex and medulla of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius showed weak and moderate reaction of alkaline phosphatase activity (Table 2). Contrary to the present finding, Kempashi et al. (2017) found that the epithelium covering the Bursal plicae of chicken was moderate reaction and boreal follicles showed mild reaction of alkaline phosphatase. In day old and two week-old birds, there was moderate reaction and there after the Bursal reaction to alkaline phosphatase enzyme decreased whereas Ackerman and Knouff (1959) reported that during the first week after hatching of Fowl epithelial cells of Bursa of Fabricius exhibit a very strong alkaline phosphatase activity but thereafter this was almost completely lost. It might be due to species variation of birds and agro climatic condition of the birds.


    There was moderate reaction for follicle associated epithelium and intense reaction for undifferentiated epithelial cell of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius for acid phosphatase (Figure 10 and Table 2). Similar findings were reported by Kempashi et al. (2017) in Chicken. Lamina propria of Bursa of Fabricius and cortex of lymphoid follicle showed moderate reaction for acid phosphatase however medulla of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius showed strong reaction for acid phosphatase.


    here was strong reaction in follicle associated epithelium and undifferentiated epithelial cell of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius for ATPase (Figure 11).


    Lamina propria of Bursa of Fabricius and cortex of lymphoid follicle showed negative reaction for ATPase on the other hand medulla of lymphoid follicle showed weak reaction for all the age groups of Pati duck (Table 2). However, Mazzone et al. (2003) showed that the epithelial covering of Bursal plicae and muscular layer showed positive reaction for ATPase, whereas cytoplasm of cortical and medullary lymphocytes showed negative reaction to ATPase activity.

    There was weak reaction for follicle associated epithelium and undifferentiated epithelial cell of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius fornon specific esterase (Figure 12).


    Lamina propria of Bursa of Fabricius and cortex of lymphoid follicle showed negative reaction for nonspecific esterase while medulla of lymphoid follicle showed negative reaction for enzyme in all the age groups of Pati duck (Table 1). These findings were in agreement with the findings of Kempashi et al. (2017) in chicken and Ebru et al. (2015) in Long –Legged Buzzard.

    In Scanning Electron microscopy, the Bursal folds of Bursa of Fabricius contained lining epithelium and lymphoid follicle (Figure 13).


    These findings were in accordance with the findings of Gultiken et al. (2010) in Turkey. This follicle contained numerous lymphocytes along with connective tissue fibers (Figure 14). The Bursal follicle was situated in lamina propria of Bursal folds. Lamina propria and interfollicular area also contained connective tissue fibers.


  • Conclusion

    Bursa of Fabricius was observed at 1st week of age and underwent atrophy at 24th week of age. The length, breadth, thickness and weight of Bursa of Fabricius showed increasing trend from 1st week to 16th week of age of Pati duck. Histochemicaly, the undifferentiated epithelial cell of lymphoid follicle of Bursa of Fabricius was showing strong reaction for acid phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase. In scanning electron microscope, the Bursal folds of Bursa of Fabricius contained lining epithelium and lymphoid follicle.


  • Reference
  • Abdalla, K., Saleh, A., Galil, Y., Mohamed, A., Alsayed, A.A., 2011. Development of the duck tongue: gross, morphometric and scanning electron microscopical study. Egyptian Journal of Medical Sciences 32, 401–414.

    AbuAli, A., Mokhtar, D., Ali, R., Wassif, E., Abdalla, K., 2019. Morphological characteristics of the developing cecum of Japanese quail (Coturnixcoturnix japonica). Microscopy and Microanalysis 25(4), 1017–1031. 

    Ackerman, G.A., Knouff, R.A., 1959. Lymphocytopoiesis in the Bursa of Fabricius. American Journal of Anatomy 104, 163–205.

    Akter, S.H., Khan, M.Z.I., Jahan, M.R., Karim, M.R., Islam, M.R., 2006. Histomorphological study of the lymphoid tissues of broiler chickens. Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine 4(2), 87–92.

    Bacha, W.J., Wood, L.M., 1990. Color atlas of Veterinary Histology. Lea and Febiger, Malverm, PA, U.S.A., 67.

    Bancroft, J.D., 2008. Theory and Practices of Histological Technique. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier Health Sciences. 6thEdn., 267–272.

    Dey, S., Baul, T.S.B., Roy, B., Dey, D., 1989. A new rapid method of air-drying of scanning electron microscopy using tetra methyl saline. Journal of Microscopy. Doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2818.1989.tb02925.

    Ebru, K.S., Hikmet, A., Nevin, K., Buket, B., 2015. The structure of Bursa of Fabricius in the Long-Legged Buzzard (Buteorufinus): Histological and histochemical study. ActaVeterinaria Beograd65(4), 510–517.

    Gracy, J.F., 1986. Bleeding Method of Slaughtering-Slaughter. Meat Hygiene. 8th edn., 144–145.

    Gultiken, M.E., Yildiz, D., Karahan, S., Bolat, D., 2010. Scanning electron and light microscopic investigation of Burs of Fabricius in Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Science 26(2), 69–73.

    Indu, V.R., Chungath, J.J., Harshan, K.R., Ashok, N., 2005. Morphology and histochemistry of the Bursa of Fabricius in White Pekin duck. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 75(6), 637–639.

    Kanasiya, S., Karmore, S., Barhaiya, R.K., Gupta, S.K., Jatav, G.P., Verma, R., 2018. Histoarchitectural studies on Bursa of Fabricius of Kadaknath birds. Journal of Animal Research 8(1), 107–110.

    Kempashi, J., Kannan, T.A., Basha, S.H., Raja, A., Ramesh, G., 2017. Histochemical localization of Oxidative and Hydrolytic enzymes in the Bursa of Fabricius in Chicken (Gallus domesticus). International Journal of Livestock Research7(3), 165–173.

    King, A.S., 1977. Aves urogenital system. In: Sisson and Grossman’s the anatomy of the domestic animals. Robert Getty (eds.), 5th Edn. Vol.2, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 2015-2017.

    Kings, A.S., McLelland, J., 1975. Outline of Avian anatomy. Ed: Kings, A.S. and McLelland, J., BaillerTindall, London. 6thEdn. 103.

    Kumar, P., Das, P., Ranjan, R., Minj, A.P., 2014. Postnatal development of Bursa of Fabricius of Khaki Campbell duck (Anas platyrhynchos). Indian Journal of Veterinary Anatomy 26(1), 30–32.

    Luna, L.G., 1968. Manuals of histological staining methods of Armed forces institute of Pathology, Ed: Luna, L.G.,McGraw Hill Book Co., London. 3rd Edn. 79–207.

    Madkour, F., Abdalla, K., Mohamed, S., 2019. Choana Morphogenesis in Developmental Stages of Muscovy Ducks. SVU-International Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2, 13–26.

    Mazzone, A.M., Gabrielli, M.A.F., Moriconi, E., Orsi, D.D., 2003. Identification of cells secreting a thymostimulin-like substances and examination of some histoenzymaticpathways in aging avian primary lymphatic organs. II. Bursa of Fabricius. EuropianJournal of Histochemistry47(4), 325–338.

    Parsons, K.R., Bland, A.P., Hall, G.A., 1991. Follicle associated epithelium of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of cattle. Veterinary Pathology 28(1), 22–29.

    Peng, K., Song, H., Li, S., Wang, Y., Wei, L., Tang, L., 2012.  Morphological characterizaion of immune organins in ostrich chicks. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Science 36(2), 89–100.

    Singh, U.B., Sulochana, S., 1978. A Laboratory Manual of Histological and Histochemical Technique. Ed: Singh, U.B.,Sulochana, S., Kothari Medical Publishing House, Bombay, 1st Edn., 50–55.

    Sultan, N., Khan, M.Z.I., Wares, M.A., Masum, M.A., 2011.Histomorphological study of the major lymphoid tissues in indigenous ducklings of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine 9(1), 53–58.

    Udoumoh, A.F., Nwaogu, I.C., Igwebuike, U.M., Obidike, I.G., 2019. The morphological characteristics of the Meckel’s diverticulum of pre-hatch and post-hatch broiler chicken. Comparative Clinical Pathology 28, 1617–1624.


Cite

1.
Deka A, Mahanta JD, Perumal P. Anatomy of Bursa of Fabricius of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam at Different Stages of Development IJBSM [Internet]. 14Mar.2020[cited 8Feb.2022];11(1):057-063. Available from: http://www.pphouse.org/ijbsm-article-details.php?article=1343

People also read

Review Article

Viable Options for Diversification of Rice in Non-conventional Rice–conventional Wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains

Amit Anil Shahane and Yashbir Singh Shivay

Diversification, Indo-gangetic plains, policy initiatives, rice, wheat

Published Online : 02 Sep 2019

Research Article

Use of Fermented Azolla in Diet of Tilapia Fry (Oreochromis niloticus)

S. K. Hundare, D. I. Pathan and A. B. Ranadive

Tilapia, fermented azolla, growth, survival

Published Online : 03 Dec 2018

Review Article

Astrologically Designed Medicinal Gardens of India

Maneesha S. R., P. Vidula, V. A. Ubarhande and E. B. Chakurkar

Vedic astrology, astral garden, celestial garden, zodiac garden

Published Online : 14 Apr 2021

Popular Article

Agro-techniques for Productive and Profitable Crop Management under Excess Water Regimes

S. K. Dwibedi, A. K. Mohanty, N. C. Sarkar and B. B. Sahoo

Excess water, agro-techniques, crop management, water logging, bio-drainage

Published Online : 07 Oct 2017