Comparative histomorphological and immunohistochemical study of parathyroid gland in two Iraqi mammals (Weasel, Herpestes javanicus and long-ear hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus)

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the anatomy, histology, and immunohistochemistry of parathyroid gland in two Iraqi mammals (Weasel, Herpestes javanicus and Long-ear hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus) as a comparative study. A total of (20) animal for each species were used in the present study. Animals collected were immediately anesthesia and dissected to get the parathyroid gland. Methods of Humason and Bancroft and Stevens were employed for histological techniques. Different stains were used (Hematoxylin- Eosin stain-(H & E), Periodic Acid Schiff stain-(PAS), Azan stain, and Methyl Blue stain-(MB)) for staining the histological sections. Anti-calcitonin, code140778 marker used for immune-histochemical study. Results of the present study revealed that parathyroid glands in both animals under investigation were small, oval or irregular shape glands located in attached with thyroid gland. Histologically parathyroid gland in both studied animals were surrounded by thin connective tissue capsule, which represented as an extension from thyroid gland capsule, the capsule extended inside the gland tissue to separated it into several lobules. Three types of cells were recognized in the gland tissue represented by chief cells, oxyphil cells, and water clear cells. The immunohistochemical study of parathyroid gland in both species under investigation revealed response to interaction with calcitonin, as the cells appeared in brown color giving an evidence for the immune reaction in cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the cells, but the reaction in H. auritus was weaker than that in H. javanicus.