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The Harderian gland: Endocrine function and hormonal control.

Alessandra Santillo1, Gabriella Chieffi Baccari1, Sergio Minucci2

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General and Comparative Endocrinology
|July 18, 2020
PubMed
Summary

The Harderian gland (HG) in rodents, particularly hamsters, exhibits significant sexual dimorphism in porphyrin and melatonin content. This review explores the gland's endocrine functions and hormonal regulation, highlighting its role in steroid synthesis and the retinal-pineal axis.

Keywords:
Harderian glandMelatoninOxidative stressPorphyrinsSexual dimorphismSteroidogenesis

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Tetrapod anatomy

Background:

  • The Harderian gland (HG) is an exocrine gland in tetrapods with complex morphology and function.
  • Lipids are common secretions, aiding lubrication and potentially acting as pheromones.
  • Rodent HGs secrete porphyrins and melatonin, suggesting roles in phototransduction and the retinal-pineal axis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comparative overview of the Harderian gland's endocrine activity.
  • To examine the hormonal control mechanisms regulating HG secretory functions.
  • To emphasize the sex-dimorphic characteristics of the hamster Harderian gland.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative physiological and phylogenetic approaches.
  • Review of existing literature on Harderian gland function and hormonal regulation.
  • Focus on hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as a model for sex dimorphism.

Main Results:

  • Harderian gland secretions vary across tetrapods, with lipids being common.
  • Rodent HGs exhibit unique porphyrin and melatonin secretion, linked to the retinal-pineal axis.
  • Hamster HG shows pronounced sexual dimorphism in porphyrin and melatonin, influenced by androgens.

Conclusions:

  • The Harderian gland is involved in steroid hormone synthesis and is influenced by pituitary, pineal, and thyroid hormones.
  • Androgens play a key role in regulating Harderian gland secretory activity and sexual dimorphism.
  • The hamster Harderian gland serves as a valuable model for studying sex-dimorphic endocrine functions and oxidative stress.