Development of the flank organ (scent gland) of the Syrian hamster II. Postnatal development

Abstract

In the first paper of this series, the prenatal development of the flank organ (scent gland) of the Syrian hamster was described. The present paper is concerned with the postnatal development of this organ. The embryology of the organ actually continues into postnatal life, until, during the fifth day, the organ attains the degree of development characteristic of general body skin at birth. Subsequently, an accelerated growth rate results in a conspicuous and characteristic hypertrophy of the gland relative to surrounding integument. During the acquisition of this hypertrophy two opposite developmental gradients are involved, i.e., a series of consecutive centripetal waves of hair cycling and a centrifugal gradient of sebaceous gland development. Maturation of the gland, including changes in its pigmentation and the onset of sexual dimorphism, is discussed in relation to pertinent literature.