Secretion from Human Apocrine Glands: an Electron Microscopic Study

Electron microscopic examination of apocrine glands revealed three types of secretion: merocrine apocrine, and possible holocrine. In the merocrine type of secretion numerous vesicles originating in the Golgi area discharged their granular contents into the lumen of the gland. In the apocrine type of secretion three stages were observed: (1) formation of an apical cap; (2) formation of a dividing membrane at the base of the apical cap; and (3) formation of tubules avove the dividing membrand that extended parallel to the membrane and led to a separation of the apical cap from the underlying cell, In the holocrine type of secretion individual secretory cells or even strands of secretory cells were dischard into the lumen of the gland.