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Further observations on the ultrastructure of the flank gland of the musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth)

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Proceedings: Animal Sciences

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the flank gland tissue of both sexes of the Indian musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens was investigated. The undifferentiated and differentiated sebaceous secretory cells in the glands of both sexes possess 1–8 mitochondrial dense osmophilic inclusions. A few inclusions of medium electron density, and clear vacuoles were also seen in the mitochondria. The muscle fibres in the glandular complex were devoid of these characteristic mitochondrial inclusions. Secretory activity of the well differentiated sebaceous cells was characterised by the presence of a number of large secretory granules. Mitochondria and polyribosomes were found in close association with the secretory granules. The flank gland tubules of the shrew were highly vascularised.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, 695 581, Trivandrum, India

    M Balakrishnan

  2. Institute of Evolutionary Animal Morphology and Ecology, USSR Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninski Prospect, Mascow, USSR

    V E Sokolov & O A Basurmanova

Authors
  1. M Balakrishnan
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  2. V E Sokolov
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  3. O A Basurmanova
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Balakrishnan, M., Sokolov, V.E. & Basurmanova, O.A. Further observations on the ultrastructure of the flank gland of the musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth). Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.) 95, 667–675 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179480

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179480

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