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Immunocytochemical localization of lysozyme and β-defensin in the apocrine glands of the equine scrotum

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Abstract

The present study revealed in detail the subcellular localization of lysozyme and β-defensin in the apocrine glands of the equine scrotal skin, a specific body region. The apocrine glandular cells were equipped with a varying number of secretory granules, a well-developed Golgi apparatus and abundant cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum within their cytoplasm. In these cells, reactive gold particles representing lysozyme were detectable in the secretory granules as well as the Golgi apparatus and elements of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptide group of β-defensin was also localized in the above-mentioned ultrastructures of the secretory cells. The presence and secretion of such substances that may serve as a non-specific defense against microorganisms are suggestive of the protective effect of the secretory production elaborated by the apocrine glands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-8510, Japan

    Tadashi Yasui, Kousuke Fukui, Takayuki Nara, Isao Habata & Azuma Tsukise

  2. Anatomical Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany

    Wilfried Meyer

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  1. Tadashi Yasui
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  2. Kousuke Fukui
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  3. Takayuki Nara
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  4. Isao Habata
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  5. Wilfried Meyer
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  6. Azuma Tsukise
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Correspondence to Tadashi Yasui.

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Yasui, T., Fukui, K., Nara, T. et al. Immunocytochemical localization of lysozyme and β-defensin in the apocrine glands of the equine scrotum. Arch Dermatol Res 299, 393–397 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0766-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-007-0766-5

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