title: Age-related changes in the number of mast cells in the avian lymphoid organs.
abstract: The distribution of mast cells (MCs) was studied in the lymphoid organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen) of 0-, 7-, 21-, 30- and 120-day-old chickens, using light microscopic histochemical techniques. Tissues samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia from animals in five groups. Tissues were fixed in Mota's fixative (basic lead acetate) for 24 h and embedded in paraffin. Six-micrometre-thick sections were stained with toluidine blue in 0.5% aqueous solution at pH 1.0 for 5 min and Alcian blue/Safranine at pH 1.42 for 30 min. MCs were found in the organs, mostly associated with sinuses and blood vessels. A large increase in MCs was observed in both thymus and spleen of 21-day-old chickens compared with 0-, 7-, 30- and 120-day-old chickens. However, in the bursa of Fabricius, numbers of MCs were significantly higher in the 7-day-old group compared with other age groups. Safranine-positive MCs were not observed in all organs and age groups. These results showed age-related changes in the number of MCs in avian lymphoid tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Yuzuncu Yil, 65080 Kampüs, Van, Turkey. turankaraca74@hotmail.com
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yörük
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uslu
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000166:cytology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*