Changes in the Uropygial (preen) gland in Fulani ecotype chicken (gallus gallus domestica) a post-hatch study.

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Alhaji Zubair Jaji ¹
• Latifah Abdulkarim ²
• Nathan Ahmadu Furo ³
• Esther Solomon Kigir ¹
• Kenechukwu Tobechukwu Onwuama ¹
• Abdulganiu Olawale Ibrahim ⁴
• Shaibu Mohammed Atabo ⁵
• Sulaiman Olawoye Salami ¹
• Nathaniel Wanmi ¹

¹ Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin

² Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

³ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin.

⁴ DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY ANATOMY, FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN.

⁵ cDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

10.22067/ijvst.2025.87643.1370

Abstract

The Uropygial (Preen) gland, located dorso-cranial to the pygostyle and rectrices in birds was observed to have two pear-shaped lobes. It is a bi-lobed structure secreting oil for plumage maintenance. Its morphologic and histologic features during post-natal development were studied in the Fulani Ecotype chicken (Gallus gallus domestica) to document anatomical information that will be useful for further biomedical and embryological studies in this breed of chicken. A total of fifty six (56) Fulani Ecotype chicken were sampled, and studied in four phases of development. Each phase had 7 males and 7 females with live weight, weight of uropygial gland and weight of preen oil documented in each case. The morphometric traits of the excised gland were documented before squeezing and measuring the volume of the preen oil. Four Uropygial glands per developmental phase were also excised, and fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for gross and histological analysis. The Uropygial gland of the Fulani ecotype chicken was observed to have two pear shaped lobes and a short papilla as early as week 2-3 of development. Three layers of the secretory cells were recognised at 7-8 months post hatch. Findings support that uropygial gland of the Fulani ecotype chicken develop as early as at week 2-3 post hatch and the weight increases as the body weight increases. Histological findings indicate that the gland was fully developed from 7-8 months post hatch.

Keywords

• Histology
• Morphology
• Post Hatch
• Uropygial gland

Main Subjects

• Anatomy

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