Postnatal development of the harderian gland in the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): A light and electron microscopic study

Abstract

The main objective of the present investigation was to study the morphological and chronological aspects of the development of the Harderian gland in the Syrian golden hamster. Tissues were obtained from male and female hamsters at days 1,3,5,7,10,12,15,17,20,27,37,46, and 90 after birth and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The present observations indicate that a well-defined temporal sequence in microscopic and ultrastructural modification is recognizable in the development of the hamster Harderian gland. Four stages of development were proposed. Between days 1-5 (first stage), the gland shows characteristics of an immature structure. The glandular cells contain many free ribosomes, few and small organelles, and large irregular-shape nuclei. Between days 7-17 (second stage), there is a marked increase of organelles involved in synthesis and secretion. The gland begins the secretion of lipids and porphyrins, but no morphological differences between male and female glands are observed. Between days 20-36 (third stage), the morphological differences between the two sexes appear and progressively develop. In 45-day-old hamsters, the Harderian gland possesses the structural characteristics of adult glands, and further developmental changes are essentially quantitative in nature (fourth stage). At all stages of development, the population of secretory cells has a uniform appearance. The morphological results are discussed as well as the possible relationship of this temporal sequence with hormonal changes.

Effects of ovariectomy and ageing on the structure and ultrastructure of the female Syrian hamster Harderian gland: a stereological analysis

“…However, there are few studies on the ultrastructural features of these cells. In previous studies, we have reported that type II cells from male hamsters have specific cytoplasmic characteristics, secrete lipid vacuoles by exocytosis, and are able to divide by mitosis (Ldpez et al 1992a. In the present study, cells containing large lipid vacuoles were frequently observed in glands from either ovariectomized or aged post-reproductive females.…”

“…Furthermore, the female gland contains over a hundred times more porphyrin than the male (Woolley and Worley 1954;Hoffman 1971;Lin and Nadakavukaren 1982). Differences between the sexes in the lipid content (Lin and Nadakavukaren 1981), the numbers of interstitial mast cells (Payne et al 1982a), the ultrastructural features of the secretory cells (Bucana and Nadakavukaren 1972;L6pez et al 1990, 1992a, the activity of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes (Hoffman et al 1985;Men6ndez-Pelfiez et al 1987 and the development of the glandular myoepithelium (Ldpez et al 1992b, Ldpez and have also been reported.…”

Characterization of melatonin high‐affinity binding sites in purified cell nuclei of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) harderian gland

“…In most tissues, protoporphyrin IX is converted to heme by ferrochelatase. However, in the harderian glands the activity of this enzyme is very low [4] and thus, porphyrin concentrations may be elevated [5, 6] leading to an increase in oxidative stress [7]. Also, in the hamster harderian glands, mitochondrial damage and cell death have been demonstrated as a consequence of porphyrin accumulation [8, 9].…”

Olfactory mucosa of the South American armadilloChaetophractus villosus: An ultrastructural study

“…Regarding the presence of two types of SC, light and dark cells have been described frequently in many tissues (López et al, 1992). In the OM, Graziadei and Monti-Graziadei (1979) described light and dark neurons.…”

“…Some authors interpret their appearance as an artifact caused by trauma involved in processing the tissue (Sinowatz and Amselgruber, 1986). Other authors propose that light and dark cells may reflect different degrees of cell activity (López et al, 1992). The assumption of an artifact due purely to tissue processing is unlikely because light and dark SC are closely apposed.…”