Premium
Histochemical Analyses of Anti‐Microbial Substances in Canine Perianal Skin with Special Reference to Glandular Structures
Author(s) -
Nara T.,
Yasui T.,
Fujimori O.,
Meyer W.,
Tsukise A.
Publication year - 2013
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.1439-0264.2012.01171.x
Subject(s) - apocrine , lactoferrin , lysozyme , immunohistochemistry , biology , lectin , biochemistry , chemistry , anatomy , immunology
Summary Circumanal glands are prominent features of the canine perianal skin, which are often located near to the sebaceous glands and apocrine glands. As the functional relevance of circumanal glands is yet unknown, we studied the localisation of sialic acids and anti‐microbial substances (lysozyme, immunoglobulin A , lactoferrin, β‐defensin) in these glandular structures by lectin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The glands exhibited a number of sialic acids that were linked to α2‐6 G al/ G al NA c and α2‐3 G alβ1‐4 G lc NA c. Additionally, lysozyme, lactoferrin and β‐defensin could be demonstrated in the three types of skin glands, whereas Ig A was only detectable in the apocrine glands. The results of the study suggest the specific significance of the circumanal glands. Independent of a certain endocrine role, their products may mainly function as protective agents to preserve the integrity of the anal region, considering that sialic acids and anti‐microbial substances are important in defence mechanisms.