Morphological, morphometrical and histological structure of the interdigital gland in norduz sheep

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the morphological, morphometric, and histological features of the interdigital gland in Norduz sheep. In our study, the interdigital gland in the fore and hind feet of 12 male and 12 female Norduz sheep were examined by first dissecting and removing the interdigital glands from the feet. The study material was used for morphometric and histological examinations after fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution. It was determined that the interdigital gland, located between two digits, has a large corpus located on the corpus of the phalanx media and consists of a long excretory duct opening to the anterior end of the joint between the phalanx proximalis and phalanx media extending from the corpus. The gland had pipe-like appearance. The length and diameter of excretory duct and diameter of the orifice of excretory duct were measured using a digital caliper through the excretory duct of the interdigital gland. The proximal, middle, and distal diameter of the corpus and the length of the corpus were measured using the same method through the corpus of the glands. The mean corpus length of the interdigital gland was 15.05±4.80 mm on the right side, 15.90±4.39 mm on the left side in females, and 15.58±4.00 mm on the right side and 16.14±3.02 mm on the left side in males. The length of the excretory duct was determined as 20.98±4.50 mm, 21.39±5.51 mm in females, and 21.94±2.61 mm and 21.94±2.91 mm in males. L2 and L7 parameters of the fore-feet and hind feet in male Norduz sheep were statistically significant. Tissue sections were stained with Crossmann"s modified triple staining technique (Triple staining), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining methods. It was observed that the interdigital gland consisted of epidermis, dermis, and a capsule. Apocrine glands were found to be located close to the capsule in the dermis. It was determined that PAS+ areas in male sheep were more intense than in female sheep. There was no histological difference in the interdigital glands of female and male Norduz sheep.

Keywords

• interdigital gland
• norduz sheep
• morphometry
• morphology
• histology