VIMENTIN-POSITIVE AND DESMIN-POSITIVE CELLS IN THE MOLTING BUDGERIGAR(MELOPSITTACUS-UNDULATUS) SKIN

The distribution of vimentin-and desmin-positive cells in the budgerig ar (Melopsittacus undulatus) dermis was investigated by means of immun ohistochemical reactivity with the commercially available (Euro-Diagno stics) polyclonal antibodies. The staining pattern for vimentin in the paraffin sections was generally comparable to that in other animal sp ecies with regard to endothelial cells, vascular wall cells, muscle ce lls and fibroblasts. The modified Schwann cells in the inner core of t he Herbst corpuscles reacted distinctly with anti-vimentin and anti-de smin. Some connective tissue cells in the superficial dermal layer, in the feather papilla and along the pulp core inside of the regeneratin g feathers were particularly well stained with anti-vimentin. Fibrobla st-like cells of the regenerating feathers, particularly at the base o f the pulp, also reacted strongly with anti-desmin. The findings were discussed with regard to references.