INVESTIGATION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE EXPRESSION IN THE SMALL INTESTINES OF THE BRONZE TURKEY (MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO)

Abstract

The aim of our investigation was to study the expression of the enzyme Alkaline phosphatase in the small intestines of the bronze turkey in the age aspect. Forty clinically healthy bronze turkeys (twenty males and twenty females) were studied. The groups of the birds were at age 1, 7, 14, 28, 35, 49, 56, 90, 120, and 240 days. Each group consisted of five males and five female birds. The enzyme’s expression was investigated by Gomori staining. The most significant expression of tissue alkaline phosphatase was observed in the epithelial cells of the duodenum. It was weaker in the jejunum and weakest in the ileum. In the three intestinal segments, high enzyme activity was observed during the first weeks of hatching (from the 1st to the 14th day in the duodenum and ileum, and from the 1st to the 28th day in the jejunum).

Keywords

• bronze turkey
• alkaline phosphatase
• small intestines
• histochemistry