Received: 11-06-2018 / Accepted: 11-03-2019
Gross and histological structures of the salt glands of the sea duck 15 (VB15) and the F1(VB15 x mallards) ducklingswere investigated in this study. The ducks hadbilateral crescent salt glands under the skin in the supraorbital depression of the frontal bone. The measurements of the gland length, width and weight showed that the gland development wasfaster from post-hatching to 6 weeks of age. There were no differences of the three values among three duck groups raised in fresh water. The salt glandsof VB15 raised in sea water had higher weight than that of the counterparts in fresh water. The glands of VB15 consistedof concentric polygonal lobes arranged in rows and separated by interlobular connective tissuesthat contain vasculature system. Each lobe hadbranched striated secretory tubules lining with single layer of cuboidal cells. Connective tissue was underneath the cuboidal cellepithelia. Thebranchedductsopenedinto the central canal that drain in a main duct leads to the anterior of the nasal cavity. This is the first study on salt glands of Vietnam marine animals, especially of VB15breedand can be considered as the basisfor further studies on age-dependent functions of the salt glands and theoptimal age of VB15 for shifting from fresh water to salty water as well as appropriate salinity for VB15.
