Structure and Function of Skin Glands

Quay, W. B.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-2364-8_1

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Described substances with pheromonal activity were found as the major products of the uropygial glands only during the breeding season (Kolattukudy and Rogers, 1987). Among others this information affirms the functional significance of vertebrate skin glands as producers of pheromones (Quay, 1976).…”

Section: Intraspecific Oriented Chemosignals -Do Birds Use Pheromones?supporting

confidence: 55%

Intraspecific and interspecific chemosignals in birds: a review

Rajchard¹

2007

Vet. Med. - Czech

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This review of chemosignals in birds considers intraspecific oriented chemosignals such as pheromones, interspecific chemosignals, and chemical interactions with parasites. Intraspecific chemosignals are known in some seabirds, especially burrow-or crevice-nesting auklets and petrels that breed in large colonies and are often nocturnal on land. Crested Auklets secrete a distinctive scent closely associated with courtship and important in sexual selection. Individually distinctive odours of petrels allow them to identify their own nest and can have a significant role in social relationships. Substances considered as sex pheromones, diesters of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, are produced by female mallards in their uropygial glands during the mating season. In many species of Charadriiformes during nesting monoester waxes are substituted with mixtures of less volatile diester waxes, less easily detected by mammals searching for nests. The tissues, mainly skin and feather of the New Guinean Passerines of the genus Pitohui and Ifrita contain steroidal alkaloids from the batrachotoxin group probably as a chemical defense. The variation of preen gland secretion in some other Passerines is apparently due to selective pressures caused by ectosymbionts. The auklets' odour, considered as a signal of mate quality, has also a function as ectoparasite repellent: aldehyde constituents of this odour kill and repel ectoparasites. Parasitic nematodes influence grouse digestion and thereby scent emission, making parasitized birds more vulnerable to depredation by mammals. Conversely, scents of some mammalian predators can function as a bird repellent.

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Section: Intraspecific Oriented Chemosignals -Do Birds Use Pheromones?supporting

confidence: 55%

Intraspecific and interspecific chemosignals in birds: a review

Rajchard¹

2007

Vet. Med. - Czech

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“…The cordylid femoral glands correspond to the tubulo-follicular sebaceous type holocrine glands found in other lizards (Cole 1966;Quay 1986 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…In these animals, epidermal glands, and in particular, the femoral glands (holocrine, tubulofollicular, sebaceous-type glands) in the femoral and pre-cloacal regions, have received the most attention (Quay 1986; Van Wyk and Mouton 1992; Dujsebayeva 1998). Another type of epidermal gland, the "generation" gland [mostly holocrine secretory cells located in the beta-layer of the epidermis (Maderson 1967; Van Wyk and Mouton 1992)], is also known to occur in the femoral, pre-cloacal, antebrachial (fore-arm), and dorsal epidermal regions in cordylid lizards (Van Wyk and Mouton 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lizard Epidermal Gland Secretions I: Chemical Characterization of the Femoral Gland Secretion of the Sungazer, Cordylus giganteus

et al. 2007

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The giant girdled lizard or sungazer, Cordylus giganteus, is endemic to South Africa. It has been suggested that in this species, as in other lizard species, epidermal glands in the femoral, pre-cloacal regions, and cloacal glands are the main sources of semiochemicals and that these secretions could play an important role at different levels of the social biology of the animals. To gain a better understanding of the nature of the femoral gland secretions of the sungazer, characterization of the constituents of the secretions was carried out.By using GC-MS analysis, in conjunction with auxiliary techniques, such as solventless sample introduction and trimethylsilyl derivatization, 53 relatively involatile compounds, including carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, esters, and steroids, were identified in the secretions of both sexes. The study showed that the secretions of male and female sungazers contain only semi-volatile chemicals.

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“…The discrete secretory units of avian skin having the benefit of anatomically and histologically accepted glandular profile include the uropygial gland, the anal glands (of vent) and the wax glands of the ear canal (Greschik 1914, Quay 1967, 1977, Lucas & Stettenheim 1972, Stettenheim 1972.…”

Section: Organised Glandular Unitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Glandular Functions of Avian Integument

Menon

1984

Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology

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This paper attempts a synthesis of available information on glandular functions of avian integument, a topic which has not received adequate attention.Morphologi cally distinct glands in the skin of birds are limited to the uropygial gland, ceruminous (wax) glands in external ear canal and integumentary glands of the vent (anal glands). Of these, only the uropygial gland has been studied in a considerable manner., whereas taxonomic and functional status of the latter two remain unclear at the present juncture. The holocrine ceruminous glands, though lipoid producing, differ greatly from the uropygial gland in structure and functions. The glands of the vent are the only mucoid producing glands found in avian skin. Thus the avian integument, on gross examination, appears to be poorly endowed with glands compared to that of other vertebrates. However, cells of avian body epidermis show a unique lipogenic potential, producing both keratin and sebum like lipoid material. Aptly termed as 'sebokeratocytes', the epidermal cells in glabrous portions of skin as well as specialized regions such as the rictus and toe web exhibit a remarkably high degree of sebogenic activity. Possible significance of this epidermal lipoid secretion in enhancing water repellancy of skin; preventing excessive cutaneous water loss; screening off harmful radiations, imparting colouration to the skin etcetera are discussed. In light of the widespread nature of epidermal lipoid secretion and the knowledge that many specialized types of feathers in various species produce and maintain a supply of material such as powder, grease or both, used in cosmetic purposes, the concept of secretory activity is reexamined. It is proposed that on a functional basis, the secretory epidermal regions and specialized feathers be considered as glandular units of skin, though they lack the conventionally accepted glandular profile.

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Structure and Function of Skin Glands

Cited by 19 publications

References 53 publications

Intraspecific and interspecific chemosignals in birds: a review

Intraspecific and interspecific chemosignals in birds: a review

Lizard Epidermal Gland Secretions I: Chemical Characterization of the Femoral Gland Secretion of the Sungazer, Cordylus giganteus

Glandular Functions of Avian Integument

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