Histochemical studies on post natal development of gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of intestine of pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam

The Pati duck constitutes a major indigenous duck variety in the state of Assam. The study of the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of Pati duck of Assam is of great value in regard to normal academic and bio-medical research aspects. It is also pre-requisite for correct diagnosis and evaluating the treatment of certain diseases like duck virus enteritis, duck cholera, aflatoxicosis, botulism etc, caused by different types of pathogens, food poisoning and food allergy.

The study was conducted on Pati duck of Assam in where 45 numbers of ducks were selected by irrespective of sex at different stages of development. The birds were divided into five groups depending on its age viz., 1^st week, 4^th week, 16^th week, 24^th week and 42^nd weeks old. The pieces of gut having lymphoid tissue or Peyer's patches were collected immediately after slaughter. Samples were made cryosections (-20°C) at 10 μm in thickness and were temporally stored at (-22°C). The histochemical staining was done after that.

The acid phosphatase activity was weak in the lymphoid follicles of 1st and 4^th week of age of Pati duck, while its activity was moderate in 16^th, 24^th and 42^th week of age. The alkaline phosphatase activity was moderate reaction in the lymphoid follicles of 1^st and 4^th week of age of Pati duck, while its activity was intense in 16^th, 24^th and 42^th week of age of duck. The lymphoid follicles of both Peyer's patches and solitary lymphoid nodules were showed moderate activity for adenosine tri-phosphatase activity in 1^st and 4^th week old Pati duck and strong activity in 16^th, 24^th and 42^th week of age of Pati duck, respectively. The lymphoid nodules of intestine showed strong reaction for non-specific esterase activity in all the age groups of Pati duck.