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Observations on the fine structure of the sebaceous flank gland of the Indian musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth)

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Proceedings: Animal Sciences

Abstract

The fine structure of the sebaceous gland acini which form the bulk of the flank gland in the Indian musk shrew was studied. The secretion of the gland appeared to be mainly lipoid in nature, seen as numerous intracellular lipid droplets showing varying degrees of osmophilia from light to intense dark. The mitochondria contained one to several electron dense inclusions which were discharged from disrupted mitochondria and were seen floating in the cytoplasm and also in the ducts of the gland complex. It is suggested that these inclusions which presumably contain high concentrations of waxes synthesized within the mitochondria, form the major components of the holocrine secretion discharged from the flank gland of the shrew.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    M Balakrishnan & K M Alexander

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, Gueiph, Canada

    J C George

Authors
  1. M Balakrishnan
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  2. K M Alexander
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  3. J C George
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Balakrishnan, M., Alexander, K.M. & George, J.C. Observations on the fine structure of the sebaceous flank gland of the Indian musk shrew,Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth). Proc Ani Sci 93, 655–662 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03186315

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03186315

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