Harderian Gland Indoles

  • Armando Menendez-Pelaez
  • Gerald R. Buzzell
Chapter

Abstract

Indoles in Harderian glands have been the subjects of numerous studies. Melatonin was the first indole found in these glands (Bubenik et al. 1976a). Since that time, other indoles (e.g., N-acetylserotonin, 5-methoxytryptamine, etc.) have been found in the Harderian glands of a variety of species. The enzymatic machinery involved in the synthesis of these compounds has also been studied; Harderian gland N-acetyltransferase (NAT), hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) have been characterized.

Keywords

Pineal Gland Syrian Hamster Melatonin Level Harderian Gland Melatonin Concentration 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • Armando Menendez-Pelaez
    • 1
  • Gerald R. Buzzell
    • 2
  1. 1.Departamento de Morfologia y Biologia CelularUniversidad de OviedoOviedo, Principado de AsturiasSpain
  2. 2.Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonCanada

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