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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Harderian Gland of the Djungarian Hamster (<i>Phodopus sungorus</i>): Light- and Electron-Microscopical Investigations

subject

description

The Harderian gland of the Djungarian hamster Phodopus sungorus was investigated by light and electron microscopy in adult animals of both sexes, held under either long or short photoperiods. These glands have a tubuloalveolar structure. Epithelial cells were seen as small cylindric cells with a large, round nucleus located basally, many small vacuoles distributed throughout the cytoplasm (type I cells) or as rather broad cells with larger vacuoles (type II cells). The ratio of both cell types differed from 1:1 to 2:1 (type I:type II), regardless of the animal’s sex. In the electron microscope, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the vesicular type and rod-like or oval-shaped mitochondria of the crista type were very numerous; while Golgi complexes were rarely seen. ‘Membranous bodies’ were about nine times higher in amount in type II cells and were further augmented fourfold, in number, in glands of female animals. The few bundles of polytubular structures that were observed, were predominantly in type I cells. Myoepithelial cells were linked to the basal part of acinar cells by interdigitations. Many microvilli were observed at the apical portion of cellular membranes. Acinar cells predominantly showed signs of merocrine secretion, although apocrine secretion was seen in some cases. Under epifluorescence, red porphyrin fluorescence was seen predominantly in type I cells where it is mainly found apically. The comparison of animals held under either long or short photoperiods did not reveal any differences in Harderian gland structure.