Anatomical and Histological Study of Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands in the Persian Squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Background The thyroid gland is known as one of the largest endocrine glands among vertebrate species
Objectives The thyroid and parathyroid gland of the Persian squirrel duo to limited anatomical knowledge was considered in this study.
Methods Five adult male Persian squirrels were used to perform the study. Following euthanasia, the thyroid and parathyroid glands were dissected and evaluated macroscopically. Subsequently, tissue samples from these glands were fixed, processed, and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and specific staining methods for microscopic analysis.
Result The thyroid gland of the Persian squirrel composed of two unequal pale brown lobes without isthmus. The caudal part of the gland was pointed, while the cranial edge was convex. The left parathyroid gland was located at the cranial edge of the thyroid gland, and the right parathyroid gland was located within the parenchyma of the thyroid gland. Blood supply to the glands was facilitated by the cranial thyroid artery. The colloidal substances were Periodic acid schiff (PAS) positive, and appeared pale to deep orange in Masson's trichrome staining, indicating the presence of glycoprotein with a high protein content in the more intensely colored colloids. Parafollicular cells were mainly clustered between follicles. The parathyroid gland consisted of small secretory cells with a rope-like arrangement. These cells exhibited acidophilic cytoplasm, euchromatin round to oval nuclei, and displayed weak reaction to PAS staining.
Conclusions This information regarding the thyroid and parathyroid glands can be highly beneficial for veterinary practitioners dealing with diseases related to the endocrine system.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 27 February 2024

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