The structure of spleen in the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus): Histological and immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to examine the structure of the spleen in the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) by histologically and the distribution of the catalase in the spleen by immunohistochemically. The tissue materials were taken from three healthy long-legged buzzards provided by permission of the General Directorate of Nature Protection and National Parks (Ankara, Turkey). The long-legged buzzard spleen is surrounded by smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. In addition, trabecular structures are not found in the capsule. The separation of white and red pulp areas could not be precisely determined. Plasma cells were detected especially around the lymphoid follicles and lymphatic follicles and Schweigger-Seidel cells were formed by reticulum strands. Alcian blue positive reaction was determined in Schweigger-Seidel cells and endothelial cells of the long-legged buzzard spleen. The intense cytoplasmic catalase immunoreactivity was observed in the Schweigger-Seidel cells and nuclear in some red pulp cells of the long-legged buzzard spleen. Consequently, determination of the histological structure and catalase immunoreactivity of the spleen on the long-legged buzzard by this study could be support for the future researches.