Histochemical study on the eccrine glands in the foot pad of the cat

Enzyme and carbohydrate histochemical methods were used to study the secretory activities and secretion properties of the eccrine tubular glands in the foot pad of the cat. The activity spectra of the different oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes investigated indicate high metabolic rates within the secretory epithelium. Additionally the enzyme reactions emphasize a double innervation of the glands by cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibres. The carbohydrate histochemical differentiation reveals mostly neutral and very few acidic glycoproteins in the secretory cells and the secretion, respectively. Clear (basal) cells contain distinct amounts of glycogen, and dark (superficial) cells show neutral glycoproteins, which reveal after PO-lectin-DAB procedures the following saccharide residues: alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-galactose, N-acetyl-alpha-D-glucosamine, alpha-L-fucose, beta-D-galactose-D-N-galactosamine, beta-D-galactose, and sialic acid. The results obtained confirm the view that the normal biological functions of the eccrine glands of the feline foot pad are to improve the frictional capacities of the paw and to leave typical scent marks.