[Caractéristiques morphofonctionnelles de la glande hardérienne chez quelques mammifères. The morphofunctional characteristics of the harderian gland in some mammalian species].

Résumé

The structure of harderian glands was studied using electron microscopy and histochemistry in six rodent species, including three Phodopus species. Based on the concept of cell morphotype it was shown that the harderian glands of the studied mammalian species are lipid-secreting and have secretory cells of the species specific morphotypes. The secretory cells are distinguished by the ultrastructural features not only between different genera, but also between different species of the same genus. The data obtained allow species identification according to the ultrastructure of secretory cells. The role of harderian glands in chemical communication was shown for the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Their secretory substance contains information about the sexual and species identity of animals.