Localization and Histochemical Features of Conjunctiva Mast Cells In Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, Linnaeus, 1758)

In this study, it was aimed to determine subtypes (connective tissue and mucosal mastocytes) and distributions of mast cells in all regions (marginal, tarsal, orbital, fornix and bulbar) of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) conjunctiva by the implementation of the different fixatives. The conjunctiva tissues taken from 6 adult turkey were fixed in Carnoy, 10% formalin and Mota’s lead acetate (BLA) solutions. BLA was the best among fixatives used in this study for shape and granules of mast cells. It was established that metachromatic dye-staining characteristics of mast cells was observed better with BLA and Carnoy solutions. By the 10% formalin fixative and Toluidine Blue (TB) staining, all of the mast cells stained blue but the metachromasia was very weak. As a result of Alcian Blue-Safranin O application, it was detected that the safranin (+) and the mixed Alcian Blue-Safranin O (+) mast cells were very rare. In the same combined staining, it was also determined that the number of Alcian Blue (+) mast cells was excessive, so a large number of mast cells was property of mucosal mast cell in the conjunctival regions. Only Safranin positive mast cell was not found in the Carnoy and 10% formalin fixatives. As a result of statistical evaluation of data with the TB and Thionin staining methods applied to determine the general distributions of mast cells, it was detected that the palpebral conjunctiva was the region with the highest number of mast cell, and fornix and bulbar conjunctiva followed by it, respectively. Mast cells gave weak yellow-green fluorescence through the Berberine sulfate application. There was no difference among the regions. In conclusion, it was determined that turkey conjunctival mast cells showed heterogeneous differences according to the staining properties