The orbital harderian gland of the male atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): A morphological study

G. G. Ortiz, A. Feria-Velasco, R. L. Tarpley, O. K. Bitzer-Quintero, S. A. Rosales-Corral, I. E. Velázquez-Brizuela, O. G. López-Navarro, R. J. Reiter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Summary The ultrastructure of the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin Harderian gland (HG) has been described but some questions remain unanswered. The purpose of this work was to define the gland's structure, ultrastructure and the differences between cells (types I and II) of the male dolphin using optic, fluorescence and electron transmission microscopy. Three different cells were observed under optic and fluorescence microscopic examination, while only two cell types (types I and II) were distinguished by electron transmission microscopy. Type I (oval nuclear envelope) exhibited three different cell populations and type II (indented nuclear envelope) exhibited two different cell populations. Although, we observed both types of vesicles in both types of cells they differed, principally, in quantity. The glands also possessed prominent duct systems, with three orders of complexity. The dolphin orbital HG appears to function as a mixed heterologous gland with two types of cells that exhibit both types of vesicles and other distinguishable differences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-214
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Veterinary Medicine Series C: Anatomia Histologia Embryologia
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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