Specialized mucocutaneous junction glands of the Indian musk shrew

Abstract

Histological and histochemical studies on the specialized skin glands found in the mucocutaneous junctions of the Indian musk shrew have been conducted. Oral lip and angle regions of both sexes possess highlyspecialized sebaceous glands, whereas the perineal region has well developed sudoriferous glands with a few enlarged sebaceous glands. The specialized sebaceous glands at the oral lip and angle are characterized by relatively larger size and proliferation of the glandular follicles. The secretory product is predominantly lipoid in nature. The specialized perineal glands are comprised of follicles of sudoriferous glands. Their main ducts transport the predominantly acid mucopolysaccharides and glycoprotein secretions to the anal cleft.

Anatomical adaptations of shrews

“…The most prominent glands are the flank glands (Hessling, 1854;Johnsen, 1914;Stamm, 1914;Eadie, 1938;Schaffer, 1940 1973; Yohro & Kamiya, 1973;Balakrishnan & Alexander, 1977a). Other important glandular areas are situated below the tail, behind ears, in the neck, throat, lip angles and soles (Niethammer, 1962;Dryden & Conaway, 1967;Murariu, 1970Murariu, , 1972Murariu, , 1975Balakrishnan & Alexander, 1977b;Sokolov & Chemova, 1982).…”

Specialized integumentary glands of house rat,Rattus rattus

“…The specialized integumentary glands are considered to be one of the most important sources of bcdy odour in mammals (Wynne-Edwards 1962; Gleason and Reynierse 1969;Johnson 1973;Quay 1954aQuay , b, 1955Quay , 1959Quay , 1962Quay , 1965Quay , 1968Quay , 1970Quay and Muller-schwarze 1967;Balakrishnan and Alexander 1977a;Bhaskaran and Alexander 1982). Quay (1953Quay ( , 1954 had reported the presence of dorsal glands in 6 species of Dipodymus, Meibomian glands in eyelids of microtines, voles and lemmings (Quay 1954b),the angulus oris glands in 79 species of rodents (Quay 1962(Quay , 1965b,and caudal glands in 15 species of pocket mice (Quay 1965a).The presence ofa ventral gland was reported in R. norvegicus (Montagna and Noback 1946a;Beaver 1960).…”

Effect of castration and oral administration of sex hormones on some specialised integumentary glands of the male musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth)

“…In fact, 13-16 sebaceous lobules could be seen in association with each of the hair follicle of this region in contrast to the 2-3 lobules of the normal sebaceous gland. The holoorine lipophilie secretory products are passed through the associated hair follicles to the exterior (Balakrislman and Alexander 1977a).…”