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Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Orbital Harderian Gland in the Male Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus )
Author(s) -
Ortiz G. G.,
FeriaVelasco A.,
PachecoMoisés F. P.,
RodríguezReinoso S.,
CruzRamos J. A.,
RosalesCorral S. A.,
Reiter R. J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2009.00937.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , bottlenose dolphin , harderian gland , electron microscope , vacuole , anatomy , biology , scanning electron microscope , cytoplasm , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , fishery , optics , endocrinology
Summary The ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus ) was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We found the following surface features: the typical round appearance of the ascinar glandular unit with a finely granular surface, a thin cortex and immediately below two types of cells: type I cells (characterized by small lipid vacuoles) and type II cells (characterized by large lipid vacuoles). It has been suggested that different cells forms represent a single cell type in varying activity states. Additionally, a coalescent tubular complex, a small balloon‐like structures and large globular structures were observed. These structures may be reservoirs of secretion products.