Identification of Merkel Receptors Sheet in Quail Beak

Authors: Soliman SA*

Volume 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Avian beak considers an important mechanosensing organ. Studying distribution of pressure mechanoreceptors is significance to understand feeding behavior in birds. The current study explored organization of the Merkel receptors in the tip and anterior part of the quail beak. Samples of beak were collected and processed for paraffin and semithin sectioning. The current study investigated organization and distribution of the Merkel receptors in quail beak. Merkel receptors were found in two forms either as Merkel cells or organized in a Merkel corpuscle. In the tip and the anterior part of quail beak, both types of Merkel receptors were identified. Merkel cells were organized as a sheet located under the mucosal epithelium of the tip and the anterior part of the beak. Merkel corpuscles located in the dermal papillae. In conclusion, quail beak was rich in Merkel receptors. Thus, quail beak could be used as a model to study the electrophysiology of the Merkel receptors.

Keywords: Beak; Merkel receptors; Quail

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