Comparative Histology of the Malayan Pangolin Kidneys in Normal and Dehydration Condition

Abstract

The kidney of Malayan Pangolins (Manis javanica) in normal and dehydrated conditions were collected for a histological study. The microscopic morphology of normal kidney was similar to those of other mammals, except the prominence of proximal straight tubules. The tubules were lined by high columnar epithelial cells which were higher than in proximal convoluted tubules. The kidney of dehydrated pangolin showed intense acidophilic staining in proximal straight tubules. The lumen of affected tubules was narrower due to swollen tubular epithelial cells. Certain tubular cells were mildly vacuolated. These appearances were the signs of degenerative cell. Since the proximal straight tubules needed more blood supply than the other due to high metabolic activity, it was likely that the proximal straight tubules were more prone to hypoxia than other kinds of renal tubules when the animal was in starvation and dehydration.