title: Light and electron microscopy study of the pecten oculi of the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos).
abstract: In this study, the pecten oculi of a diurnally active bird, the Japanese jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), was examined using light and electron microscopy. In this species, the pecten consisted of 24-25 highly vascularized pleats held together apically by a heavily pigmented 'bridge' and projected freely into the vitreous body in the ventral part of the eye cup. Ascending and descending blood vessels of varying caliber, together with a profuse network of capillaries, essentially constituted the vascular framework of the pecten. A distinct distribution of melanosomes was discernible on the pecten, the concentration being highest at its apical end, moderate at the crest of the pleats and lowest at the basal and lateral margins. Overlying and within the vascular network, a close association between blood vessels and melanocytes was evident. It is conjectured that such an association may have evolved to augment the structural reinforcement of this nutritive organ in order to keep it firmly erectile within the gel-like vitreous. Such erectility may be an essential prerequisite for its optimal functioning as well as in its overt use as a protective shield against the effects of ultraviolet light, which otherwise might lead to damage of the pectineal vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Japan. lutfurbd2002@tahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Mohammad Lutfur
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Eunok
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.forename: Shoei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002196:Capillaries / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D046368:Crows / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I