LIPID-PRODUCING SKIN GLANDS OF THE COMMON HAMSTER (CRICETUS-CRICETUS)

The Harderian gland and glands of the oral angle structure and process es of secretion in the common hamster have been studied under light an d electron (scanning and transmission) microscopes. Both these glands were shown to be lipid-producing. Nevertheless, their epithelial cells differ in ultrastructure. The Harderian gland has tubulo-alveolar arc hitecture and consists of two types of epithelial cells. The oral angl e gland is acinar and contains differentiating cells of the third type . The possibility of synthesis of various lipids by these three types of cells is discussed.