Ultrastructure of the sebaceous glands of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The sebaceous gland of the camel has been studied by light and electron microscopy. The gland is lobed but the lobes are not subdivided into lobules. The ultrastructure of the sebaceous gland of the camel is generally similar to that of other animals. It consists of cells at different stages of development and maturation. The cells which are programmed to produce lipid secretion are probably those which lose contact with the basal lamina. Various forms of smooth endoplasmic reticulum are seen in the sebaceous cells. These forms include grid lattice, membranous whorls, and parallel cisterns; all of them are associated with lipid droplets which suggest that the smooth endoplasmic reticulum may be involved in lipid synthesis. The connective tissue around the sebaceous gland contains myelinated and unmyelinated axons. Some of these axons possibly penetrate the basal lamina to innervate the cells at the periphery. Encapsulated endings, which closely resemble Ruffini endings, are occasionally observed in the vicinity of the gland.