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Innervation of the apocrine sweat glands
Biology Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Akademiia Nauk SSSR
|May 1, 1981
Summary
Apocrine glands in squirrels and cats show similar cholinergic and adrenergic innervation. Nerve enzyme concentrations differ between apocrine and eccrine sweat glands, suggesting distinct regulatory mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Histology
- Neuroscience
- Dermatology
Background:
- Apocrine glands are specialized skin glands with roles in scent signaling and lubrication.
- Understanding the innervation of these glands is crucial for comprehending their physiological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the cholinergic and adrenergic innervation of apocrine glands in squirrels and cats.
- To analyze the concentrations of key enzymes, acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase, within these nerves.
- To compare the innervation of apocrine glands with that of eccrine sweat glands.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical analysis of nerve fibers in apocrine glands from squirrel and cat specimens.
- Enzyme activity assays for acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in nerve terminals and secretory cells.
Main Results:
- Both cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibers innervate the apocrine glands studied.
- Cholinergic nerves contain primarily non-specific cholinesterase, with varying acetylcholinesterase levels.
- Adrenergic nerve fibers exhibit low overall monoamine oxidase but high concentrations at terminals contacting secretory cells.
Conclusions:
- Apocrine gland innervation shares similarities with eccrine sweat glands but shows lower enzyme concentrations.
- The specific enzyme profiles suggest distinct roles and regulation of apocrine and eccrine glands.
- Further research is warranted to explore the functional implications of these neurochemical differences.