[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the distribution law of different goblet cells in the intestinal tracts of African ostrich chicks. [Method] Alcian blue/pe- riodic acid-schiff reaction （AB/PAS） was adopted to observe and analyze the types and distribution of goblet cells in the intestinal tracts of ostrich chicks. Acid mu- copolysaccharide could be stained blue with alcian blue （AB）, and neutral mu- copolysaccharide could be stained red with periodic acid-schiff reagent （PAS）. [Result] According to AB/PAS results, goblet cells in the intestinal tracts were divided in- to four types： TypeⅠ was pure red, with AB negative result and PAS positive result containing neutral mucoitin; type Ⅱ was pure blue, with AB positive result and PAS negative result containing acidic mucoitin; type Ⅲ was purple reddish, with PAS posi- tive result greater than AB; typeⅣ was purple blue, with AB positive result greater than PAS. Large quantities of goblet cells were found in the intestinal tracts of os- trich chicks, mostly type III and IV.The quantities of goblet cells were decreased gradually in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, while the quantities were increased in the cecum, colon and rectum. The goblet cells in the large intestine are more than that in the small intestine. The most quantities of goblet cells were contained in rectum. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the distribution of goblet cells is closely related with the structure and function of intestinal tracts. The mucus secret- ed by the goblet Cells plays a series of important roles in the digestion and mucosal immunization.
[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the differences in morphological structure of tibias between sick and normal ostrich chicks. [Method] Normal and sick ostrich chicks aged 90 days were used in this research for bone mineral density determination, bone demineralization paraffin section preparation （HE staining）, bone abrasive disc preparation and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） observation, to analyze the differences in microstructure and ultrastructure of tibias between sick ostrich chicks and normal ones. [Result] Bone mineral density of ostrich chicks suffering from leg disease was much lower than that of the normal ones. Compared with normal tibias, less trabeculae were observed in sick tibias, which were attenuated and began to disappear. In addition, trabeculae micro-fracture could be observed under scanning electron microscope; resorption pits on bone slices formed by osteoclast could be observed under scanning electronic microscope. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the sick tibias all have lower bone density and trabeculae microfracture phenomenon in tibias with different diseases, which might be resulted from osteoporosis.
In order to explore the histological structure of zebra and to protect en- dangered species diversity, it is especially important to study the zebra adrenal his- tological structure. 2 zebra adrenals were studied by means of histological methods. The adrenal gland tissues were dissected into serial paraffin sections at the thick- ness of 3 μm. After HE and Masson staining, they were observed and photographed by the light microscope and Image-Pro Plus 6.0. The results show that zebra adrenal capsule is covered with thick connective tissue, which is about 230 μm. A large number of nerves and blood vessels are distributed in the capsule. The area of cortex is about 5 times larger than medullae. Zona glomerulosa is thin, about 300？m. The cells were arranged as column and ball. Zona fasciculata with the thickness of 1 750 μm is 6 times as thick as zona glomerulosa. The cells were ar- ranged in cord. Zona reticular with the thickness of 250 wm was closely adjacent to medulla and formed a jagged boundary. The medulla with the area of 4 mm2 was deeply dyed. It was concluded that some sympathetic ganglion cells were found in the medulla arranged in groups and surrounded with zona reticular cells but lots of the cells were found in zona reticular. Some connective tissue with chromaffin cells was found in the medulla center vein. The purpose of the present study provides reliable evidences for further study on morphology, physiology and pathology of the zebra.
