Abstract
The structure of the capillary endothelium in the pecten oculi of the domestic fowl was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy results demonstrated the existence of a vast array of irregular microplicae that projected from the luminal surface of the capillary endothelium. In between these microplicae were numerous crevices. The microplicae were closely packed and showed no preferred orientation regarding either the longitudinal or transverse plane of the capillaries. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the section profiles of the microplicae: their tortuity, branching, interdigitations and the magnitude of the crevices contained. The endothelial cytoplasm exhibited a few mitochondria and micropinocytotic vesicles. The apparent set-up of the luminal plasmalemmal infoldings seemed to be designed for effecting impedance to the pectineal blood flow and thereby facilitating passive permeation of blood-borne nutrients to the inner neural retina. The reasons of such passive transport operation mediated by the endothelial microplicae of the avian pecten oculi are discussed in the perspective of the existing literature.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akester, A. R. (1984) Pecten. In: Freeman, B. M. (ed.) Physiology and Biochemistry of the domestic fowl. Vol. 5. Academic Press, New York, pp. 251–255.
Bhattacharjee, J. (1993) A presumably astroglial cell in the retino-pectineal junction in Gallus domesticus. Demonstrated by non-specific esterase staining. Eur. J. Morph. 31, 169–173.
Braekevelt, C. R. (1984) Electron microscopic observations on the pecten of the night hawk, Chordeiles minor. Ophthalmologica 189, 211–220.
Braekevelt, C. R. (1989) Fine structure of the conus papillaries in the bobtail goana, Tiligual rugosa. Histol. Histopathol. 4, 287–298.
Braekevelt, C. R. (1993) Fine structure of the pecten oculi in the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). Histol. Histopathol. 8, 9–15.
Dieterich, C. E., Dieterich, H. J., Spycher, M. A., Pfutsch, M. (1973) Fine structural observations of the pecten oculi capillaries of the chicken. Z. Zellforsch. 146, 473–489.
Duke-Elder, S. (1958) System of Ophthalmology. Henry, Kimpton, London.
Ehrlich, D., Sttayasai, J., Gurusinghe, C., Zappia, J. (1987) The avian pecten provides a potent substrate for growth and development of dissociated embryonic implants. Dev. Brain Res. 33, 139–144.
Eichhorn, M., Flugel, C. (1988) Histochemical demonstration of carbonic anhydrase and Na+/K+ ATPase in the pecten oculi of the fowl. Exp. Eye Res. 47, 147–153.
Fawcet, D. W. (1986) Textbook of Histology. 11th ed. Saunders Company, Philadelphia.
Fielding, M. (1972) The ultrastructure of the pecten oculi in the domestic fowl. J. Anat. 113, 295–297.
Hossler, F. E., Olson, R. R. (1984) Microvasculature of the avian eye: Studies on the eye of the duckling with microcorrosion casting, scanning electron microscopy and stereology. Am. J. Anat. 170, 205–221.
Keough, E. M., Wilcox, L. M., Raymond, J. C., Hotte, C. E. (1980) Comparative ocular blood flow. Comp. Biochem. and Physiol. 684, 269–271.
Kiama, S. G., Bhattacharjee, J., Maina, J. N., Weyrauch, K. D. (1994) A scanning electron microscope study of the pecten oculi of the black kite, Milvus migrans: possible involvement of melanosomes in protecting the pecten against damage by ultraviolet light. J. Anat. 185, 637–642.
King-Smith, P. E. (1971) Special senses. In: Bell, D. J., Freeman, B. M. (eds) Physiology and Biochemistry of Domestic Fowl. Vol. 2. Academic Press, London, pp. 1039–1083.
Lyroudia, K. L., Economou, L., Manthos, A., Zervas, P., Albanou, A., Forogiou, Ch. (1993) Pinocytotic vacuoles in human dental pulp capillaries. Histol. Histopath. 8, 227–234.
Mann, I. C. (1924) The function of the pecten. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 8, 209–226.
Meyer, D. B. (1977) The avian eye and its adaptations. In: Crescitelli, F. (ed.) Handbook of Sensory Physiology. Vol. VII/5. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 549–612.
Oschman, J. L. (1978) Morphological correlate of transport. In: Giebicch, G., Tosteson, R. C., Ussing, H. H. (eds) Membrane Transport in Biology. Vol. J. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 55–93.
Pasantes-Morales, H., Klethi, J., Urban, P. F., Mandel, P. (1972) Changes in the lactate and malate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns of chicken embryo brain and retina. J. Biochem. 19, 1183–1188.
Pettigrew, J. D., Wallman, J., Wildsoet, C. F. (1990) Saccadic oscillations facilitate ocular perfusion from the avian pecten. Nature 343, 362–363.
Ramos, A. S., Tingari, M. D. (1984) A correlative scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of the pecten oculi of the 3apanese quil. Can. J. Zool. 63, 2457–2464.
Raviola, E., Raviola, G. (1967) A light and electron microscopic study of the pecten of the pigeon eye. Am. J. Anat. 120, 427–462.
Renkin, E. M., Curry, F. E. (1979) Transport of water and solutes across endothelium. In: Giebisch, G. (ed.) Transport Organs. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 1–45.
Seaman, A. R., Storm, H. (1963) A correlated light and electron microscope study of the pecten oculi of the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus. Exp. Eye Res. 2, 163–172.
Silman, A. J. (1973) Avian vision. In: Farner, D. S., King, J. R., Parker, K. C. (eds) Avian Biology. Vol. 2, pp. 349–387.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kiama, S.G., Bhattacharjee, J., Maina, J.N. et al. Surface specialization of the capillary endothelium in the pecten oculi of the chicken, and their overt roles in pectineal haemodynamics and nutrient transfer to the inner neural retina. BIOLOGIA FUTURA 48, 473–483 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03542957
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03542957