A Fine Structural Study of the Turkey Harderian Gland

Overview

Journal J Anat

Specialty Anatomy & Histology

Date 1986 Oct 1

PMID 3693084

Citations 3

Authors

M H Maxwell

B Rothwell

R B Burns

Affiliations

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Abstract

The ultrastructure of the turkey Harderian gland is described and the findings support previous histological descriptions of the gland. The gland is a compound tubulo-acinar structure composed of characteristic bipolar epithelial cells providing a predominantly merocrine secretion to the lumina. In the basal aspect of the cell, aggregations of non-secretory lipid-like droplets were evident and apically, the secretion was mucoid. The cells had abundant mitochondria, granular endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes and a complex network of Golgi elements. In the subepithelial regions, myoepithelial cells and large numbers of plasma cells were seen. Within the granular endoplasmic reticulum cisternae of the epithelial cells, fibrillary or crystalline rods in some instances measuring up to 10 micron in length, with a 7.0 nm repeat pattern, were frequently seen.

Citing Articles

The harderian gland: a tercentennial review.

Payne A J Anat. 1994; 185 ( Pt 1):1-49.

PMID: 7559104 PMC: 1166813.

The harderian gland of desert rodents: a histological and ultrastructural study.

Djeridane Y J Anat. 1992; 180 ( Pt 3):465-80.

PMID: 1487439 PMC: 1259647.

An ultrastructural study of myoepithelium maturation during postnatal development of the hamster Harderian gland.

Lopez J, Tolivia J, Alvarez-Uria M Anat Embryol (Berl). 1992; 186(6):573-81.

PMID: 1292374 DOI: 10.1007/BF00186980.

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