ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Harderian gland
;
Hamster
;
Sexual dimorphism
;
Cylindrical tubules
;
Proliferated endoplasmic reticulum
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The Harderian gland from 4-week-old female hamsters is speckled with a black-brown pigment, whereas it is not pigmented in the male. This pigment is confined to the lumen. Most cells of the gland from the male have large vaculoles, in contrast to the smaller vacuoles of the female. Some of the ultrastructural details of the hamster Harderian glands are different from those reported previously in other mammals. We observed light and dark cells in both sexes. Dark cells of both sexes contain numerous ribosomes and large vacuoles, but in the female they also have dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Membranous structures arranged in concentric lamellae or in the form of Golgi with proliferated cisternae are found in the light cells of the female but not in the male. Both the light and dark cells from the male contain randomly distributed clusters of cylindrical tubules that are often associated with mitochondria, nuclei, and vacuoles. The secretory cells of both sexes also have microvilli at the apices. The significance and possible functions of these structures are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00306934
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