Can an orbital gland function in the vomeronasal sense? A study of the pygopodid Harderian gland

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Rehorek ◽  
B T Firth ◽  
M N Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Gland Function

The Harderian gland occurs in the orbit of most tetrapod vertebrates. A growing body of evidence suggests that this gland is associated with the chemoreceptive function of the vomeronasal organ. In the present study, the morphology of the Harderian gland in two species of pygopodids was examined, and the results were contrasted with those from both geckos and snakes. The results show that the pygopodid Harderian gland shares histochemical and ultrastructural features with that of the geckos. However, in several gross morphological features, the pygopodid Harderian gland more closely resemble that of snakes than that of geckos. In both pygopodids and snakes, the nasolacrimal duct forms a direct link between the Harderian gland and the vomeronasal organ, which indicates that this specialized connection between the Harderian gland and vomeronasal organ is a convergent evolutionary attribute of these two groups.

The Harderian gland of two species of snakes: Pseudonaja textilis (Elapidae) and Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J Rehorek ◽  
Mimi Halpern ◽  
Bruce T Firth ◽  
Mark N Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Gross Anatomy ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Thamnophis Sirtalis ◽  
Mucous Cells ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Snake Species ◽  
Harderian Glands

The reptilian Harderian gland is a poorly understood cephalic structure. Despite the recent assertion that in snakes it may function as part of the vomeronasal system, the Harderian gland has been described in few snake species. In this study we examined the gross anatomy, histology, and ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of two different advanced snake species (Colubroidea): Pseudonaja textilis (Elapidae) and Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae). In both species the Harderian gland is a large serous gland whose secretions pass directly into the vomeronasal organ via the nasolacrimal duct. Contrary to previous publications, the Harderian gland in both species studied possesses a specific duct system lined by mucous cells. However, the Harderian glands of these two species differ in shape, the histochemical nature of these mucous secretions, and the ultrastructure of the serous granules. In conclusion, though the Harderian glands of snakes are remarkably conserved morphologically, there is some interspecific variation.

Passage of Harderian gland secretions to the vomeronasal organ of Thamnophis sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1284-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Rehorek ◽  
W J Hillenius ◽  
W Quan ◽  
M Halpern
Keyword(s):  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Sensory Epithelium ◽  
Thamnophis Sirtalis ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Rich Solution ◽  
The Right

The Harderian gland is a poorly understood structure found in the anterior orbit of most terrestrial vertebrates. In colubrid snakes it is a seromucous gland with a large postorbital portion. Numerous functions have been ascribed to this gland, including contributions to orbital lubrication or the vomeronasal system. Anatomically the Harderian gland is connected to the vomeronasal organ (VNO) via the nasolacrimal duct. In this study we traced the serous secretions of the Harderian gland of two subspecies of Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae), using autoradiographic techniques at the light-microscopic level. We injected the Harderian gland of the snakes with H3-proline either unilaterally (right side) or bilaterally. The right Harderian glands of both treatment groups were then injected with a potassium-rich solution. No labeling was observed in the orbital space of any treatment group, suggesting that the Harderian gland secretions of T. sirtalis do not function in orbital lubrication. Labeling was only observed in the right Harderian gland, Harderian gland ducts, nasolacrimal duct, apical vomeronasal sensory epithelium, VNO lumen, and vomeronasal duct. No such labeling was observed in any of the other treatments examined. Thus, the serous secretions of the Harderian gland in snakes flow to the VNO, and may be considered part of the vomeronasal system. The specific function of the Harderian gland secretions in the vomeronasal system remains to be determined.

Histological Features of the Nasal Passage in Juvenile Japanese White Rabbits

2022 ◽  
pp. 019262332110687
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Yamagiwa ◽  
Masaaki Kurata ◽  
Hiroshi Satoh
Keyword(s):  
Endochondral Ossification ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Goblet Cells ◽  
Olfactory Nerve ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Respiratory Epithelium ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Nasal Passage ◽  
Toxicological Evaluation ◽  
Clear Cytoplasm

Rabbits are sometimes used for intranasal toxicology studies. We investigated the postnatal development of the nasal passage in juvenile Japanese white rabbits from just after birth to 6-week-old to provide information for conducting intranasal toxicological evaluation using juvenile animals. On postnatal day (PND) 1, the nasal passage consisted of the septum with mostly cartilaginous nasal wall and turbinates. The lining squamous, transitional, respiratory, and olfactory epithelia were already distributed similar to adults and were still underdeveloped. The nasal passage gradually expanded with age, as did the nasal wall, including the turbinates formed by endochondral ossification. The maxilloturbinate elongated, during which it branched complexly. The respiratory epithelium takes the form of columnar epithelium together with a reduction in goblet cells. In addition, the olfactory epithelium had clear cytoplasm in the ethmoturbinate, the olfactory nerve bundles thickened, and Bowman’s gland acini increased in size and number. Other tissues, including the vomeronasal organ, nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, and nasolacrimal duct, also developed histologically with age. This investigation characterized the postnatal histological development of the nasal passage in Japanese white rabbits, providing basic knowledge regarding the histological examination and rationale for appropriate study design of intranasal toxicology studies in juvenile rabbits.

Passage of Harderian gland secretions to the vomeronasal organ of Thamnophis sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1284-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Rehorek ◽  
W.J. Hillenius ◽  
W. Quan ◽  
M. Halpern
Keyword(s):  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Harderian Gland ◽  
Thamnophis Sirtalis

scholarly journals Involvement of miRNAs in Placental Alterations Mediated by Oxidative Stress

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Rudov ◽  
Walter Balduini ◽  
Silvia Carloni ◽  
Serafina Perrone ◽  
Giuseppe Buonocore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Growing Body

Oxidative stress (OS) is known to be strongly involved in a large number of fetal, neonatal, and adult diseases, including placental disorders, leading to pregnancy loss and stillbirths. A growing body of research links OS to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, obesity, spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction. While a considerable number of miRNAs have been related to physiological functions and pathological conditions of the placenta, a direct link among these miRNAs, placental functions, and OS is still lacking. This review summarizes data describing the role of miRNAs in placental pathophysiological processes and their possible impact on OS damaging responses. As miRNAs can be found in circulation, improving our understanding on their role in the pathogenesis of pregnancy related disorders could have an important impact on the diagnosis and prognosis of these diseases.

Metals and School Learning: A Review of Investigative Techniques

1995 ◽  
Vol 81 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1079-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard F. Ittenbach ◽  
Rebecca M. Spencer ◽  
John P. Juergens ◽  
Dennis A. Frate ◽  
William H. Benson
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
School Children ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
School Learning ◽  
Investigative Techniques ◽  
The Relationship

A growing body of literature suggests a relationship between metals and a threatened health status among children, adolescents, and adults. Recently, several investigators have reported a direct link between exposure to metal and diminished affective, behavioral, and cognitive performance of school children. The purpose of the present study was to review and analyze methods and procedures used to understand the relationship between exposure to metals and cognitive, social, and motor functioning of school children.

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