Harderian Glands and Their Development in Laboratory Rats and Mice

Expression of the somatostatin gene and receptors in the rat Harderian gland

“…The increase in this ICER repressor after the age of 4 days could explain the later disappearance of somatostatin expression in adult tissue. Interestingly, further postnatal developmental and maturational changes of the Harderian gland have also been observed in the mouse and rat (for review see Shirama and Hokano, 1992) and the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) (L6pez et al, 1992); during the first week of life the glands are still in an immature stage with increased mitotic activity, and glandular secretions only appear after the second week.…”

The avian Harderian gland: Morphology and immunology

“…A number of investigators have attempted to determine the influences of various steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, and hypophyseal hormones on the morphology and function of the Harderian gland in rodents. Moreover, due to the presence of melatonin, the gland may also be involved in the functioning of the pineal-hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis (reviews: Buzzell and Menendez-Pelaez, 1992;Menendez-Pelaez and Buzzell, 1992;Payne et al, 1992;Shirama and Hokano, 1992).…”

Compromised epidermal barrier stimulates Harderian gland activity and hypertrophy in ACBP−/− mice

“…2C, D). This indicates that the increase in the synthesis of MADAG is not driven by increased expression of enzymes involved in synthesis of fatty acids but rather by increased activity of The Harderian gland consists of a simple tubuloalveolar system with acinar cells arranged in acini ( 33 ). This overall structure is maintained in the ACBP Ϫ / Ϫ mice ( Fig.…”