Histological and histochemical characterization of the lingual salivary glands of the quail, Coturnix coturnix.

Abstract

Abstract: The present study \\as undertaken to reyeal the histological and histochemical characteristics of the lingual salivary glands of the quail. Co[urnix co[urnix. The glands comprised rostral serous glands arranged as two entities. and caudal mucous glands arranged as a single entity. The rostral lingual glands produce proteins and are deyoid of both glycogen and mucosubstances. whereas the caudal ones elaborate neutral mucosubstances. sialomucins and sulfomucins. but are deyoid of proteins and glycogen. The results were discussed in the context of the feeding habits of the bird.