We describe the morphological, histological and histochemical characteristics of the uropygial gland of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and pigeon (Columba livia). The weight and dimensions of the glands were recorded. The gland openings onto the papilla in ducks were surrounded by double tufts of downy feathers; the tufts were held together by an oily secretion. In the pigeon, the gland opening was onto naked skin. Samples for light and transmission electron microscopy were obtained from adult birds. Gland morphometry of the duck showed greater dimensions and relative gland weight than the pigeon. In both species the gland was lined by stratified epithelium, packed with secretary tubules and filled with oil droplets that were discharged into a central cavity. In the pigeon, the gland was branched and alveolar with a wide central lumen, whereas in the duck it was simple and branched tubular. Ultrastructural analysis of both species revealed that the fat globules tended to condense in the peripheral layers of the secretory and degenerative cells, and the nuclei exhibited pyknosis, which suggest the holocrine nature of the gland. Morphometric and histological analysis of the gland showed that the architecture is similar among birds; however, some species-specific differences suggest a functional correlation with the habitat.

我们描述了鸭（Anas platyrhynchos）和鸽子（Columba livia）的尿py腺的形态，组织学和组织化学特征）。记录腺体的重量和尺寸。鸭的乳头上的腺体开口被双簇绒毛状羽毛所包围。簇绒由油性分泌物固定在一起。鸽子的腺体开口裸露在皮肤上。从成年禽类获得光和透射电子显微镜的样品。鸭子的腺形态显示出比鸽子更大的尺寸和相对腺重。在这两个物种中，腺体都被分层的上皮衬里，里面装满了秘书小管，里面充满了油滴，这些油滴被排放到中央腔中。在鸽子中，腺体呈分支状和肺泡状，中央管腔宽，而在鸭子中，腺体简单且呈分支状。对这两种物种的超微结构分析表明，脂肪小球趋于在分泌细胞和变性细胞的外围层中凝结，并且细胞核表现为密症，这表明腺体是全腺素性的。腺体的形态学和组织学分析表明，鸟类的结构相似。但是，某些物种特异性差异表明其与栖息地之间存在功能相关性。