Rate of Protein Synthesis of the Harderian Gland of a Skink, Hemiergis decresiensis: A Preliminary Study

The squamate Harderian gland is a serous secreting structure located in the anterior aspect of the orbit. Active secretion is hitherto undescribed, and the mode of secretion is debatable. The authors in this study examined the rate of protein synthesis and secretion using autoradiography. Intraperitoneal injections of tritiated methiodine were administered to Australian skink lizard (Hemiergis decresiensis). The results revealed that two hours after the initial injection labeling was observed basely in the secretory cells of the Harderian gland. After 69 hours, the labeling was observed solely in the glandular lumina. Although this study does not determine the mechanism of secretion, it is the first to show that not only are proteins regularly produced and secreted by the skink Harderian gland but also that protein is produced and secreted within a three-day period

The structure of the nasal chemosensory system in squamate reptiles. 1. The olfactory organ, with special reference to olfaction in geckos

The luminal surface of the chemosensory epithelia of the main olfactory organ of terrestrial vertebrates is covered by a layer of fluid. The source of this fluid layer varies among vertebrates. Little is known regarding the relative development of the sources of fluid (sustentacular cells and Bowman's glands) in reptiles, especially in gekkotan lizards (despite recent assertions of olfactory speciality). This study examined the extent and morphology of the main olfactory organ in several Australian squamate reptiles, including three species of gekkotans, two species of skinks and one snake species. The olfactory mucosa of two gekkotan species (Christinus marmoratus and Strophurus intermedius) is spread over a large area of the nasal cavity. Additionally, the sustentacular cells of all three gekkotan species contained a comparatively reduced number of secretory granules, in relation to the skinks or snake examined. These observations imply that the gekkotan olfactory system may function differently from that of either skinks or snakes. Similar variation in secretory granule abundance was previously noted between mammalian and non-mammalian olfactory sustentacular cells. The observations in gekkotans suggests that the secretory capacity of the non-mammalian olfactory sustentacular cells show far more variation than initially thought

Testing the orbital lubrication hypothesis: the Harderian glands in burrowing skinks (Reptilia: Squamata)

The Harderian gland is an orbital gland thought to be a source of corneal lubricant, supplementary to the other orbital glands. This study investigated the possible role of skink Harderian glands in corneal lubrication. It was hypothesized that if these glands play a role in corneal lubrication, then the structure of these glands would be affected by structural orbital modifications. We examined the Harderian and lacrimal glands of five species of Australian skinks (Lygosominae), two of which possessed orbital modifications in the form of a transparent immoveable eyelid (spectacle) and skull reduction. All species possessed well-developed posterior lacrimal glands, but no anterior lacrimal glands. Anatomically, the Harderian glands were smaller in the burrowing species relative to the nonburrowing species. No other obvious species-specific differences were observed. The absence of any differentiation at the microscopic level suggests that although there is some change in the relative amount of secretant produced, the nature of the secretion studied by classical histochemistry remains essentially unchanged. However, at higher taxonomic levels, the size and structure of the Harderian gland may be taxon-specific and unrelated to the orbital environment. Thus, orbital lubrication may not necessarily be the sole function of the Harderian gland.S. J. Rehorek, M. N. Hutchinson, and B. T. Firt

The structure of the nasal chemosensory system in squamate reptiles. 2. Lubricatory capacity of the vomeronasal organ

The vomeronasal organ is a poorly understood accessory olfactory organ, present in many tetrapods. In mammals, amphibians and lepidosaurian reptiles, it is an encapsulated structure with a central, fluid-filled lumen. The morphology of the lubricatory system of the vomeronasal organ (the source of this fluid) varies among classes, being either intrinsic (mammalian and caecilian amphibian vomeronasal glands) or extrinsic (anuran and urodele nasal glands). In the few squamate reptiles thus far examined, there are no submucosal vomeronasal glands. In this study, we examined the vomeronasal organs of several species of Australian squamates using histological, histochemical and ultrastructural techniques, with the goal of determining the morphology of the lubricatory system in the vomeronasal organ. Histochemically, the fluid within the vomeronasal organ of all squamates is mucoserous, though it is uncertain whether mucous and serous constituents constitute separate components. The vomeronasal organ produces few secretory granules intrinsically, implying an extrinsic source for the luminal fluid. Of three possible candidates, the Harderian gland is the most likely extrinsic source of this secretion

Can an orbital gland function in the vomeronasal sense? A study of the pygopodid Harderian gland

The Harderian gland occurs in the orbit of most tetrapod vertebrates. A growing body of evidence suggests that this gland is associated with the chemoreceptive function of the vomeronasal organ. In the present study, the morphology of the Harderian gland in two species of pygopodids was examined, and the results were contrasted with those from both geckos and snakes. The results show that the pygopodid Harderian gland shares histochemical and ultrastructural features with that of the geckos. However, in several gross morphological features, the pygopodid Harderian gland more closely resemble that of snakes than that of geckos. In both pygopodids and snakes, the nasolacrimal duct forms a direct link between the Harderian gland and the vomeronasal organ, which indicates that this specialized connection between the Harderian gland and vomeronasal organ is a convergent evolutionary attribute of these two groups. </jats:p

The Harderian gland of two species of skink (Tiliqua rugosa and Hemiergis decresiensis): a discussion of the significance of lymphatic tissue in the squamate Harderian gland

Copyright © 2006 NRC CanadaThe Harderian gland is an orbital structure ubiquitous in reptiles. Numerous functions have been ascribed to this gland, including osmoregulation, chemoreception, and immunity. The anatomical, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of the Harderian gland of two species of skink, Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825) and Hemiergis decresiensis (Cuvier, 1829), were examined. Mucous and serous secretory cells were observed in both species. In T. rugosa, mucous cells are located in a small anterior region, while serous cells occupy most of the gland. In contrast, the Harderian gland of H. decresiensis contains mainly serous cells, with a few anteriorly located mucous cells. In both species, the serous granules exhibit internal compartmentalization. There is no evidence of either lipid secretions or salt secreting cells. However, there were either a few plasma cells (H. decresiensis) or several lymphatic aggregations (T. rugosa) in the serous portion of the gland. The presence of such lymphatic tissue may suggest a role in either the head-associated lymphatic tissue (HALT) system or the eye-associated lymphatic tissue (EALT). The difference between these two is based upon terminology, the consolidation of which would allow meaningful comparative analyses. The presence of lymphatic tissue implies that the Harderian gland could play a role in ocular immunity.Susan J. Rehorek, Jeremy J. Baker, Mark N. Hutchinson, and Bruce T. Firt

The Harderian gland of two species of snakes: Pseudonaja textilis (Elapidae) and Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae)

Copyright © 2003 National Research Council of Canada The reptilian Harderian gland is a poorly understood cephalic structure. Despite the recent assertion that in snakes it may function as part of the vomeronasal system, the Harderian gland has been described in few snake species. In this study we examined the gross anatomy, histology, and ultrastructure of the Harderian gland of two different advanced snake species (Colubroidea): Pseudonaja textilis (Elapidae) and Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae). In both species the Harderian gland is a large serous gland whose secretions pass directly into the vomeronasal organ via the nasolacrimal duct. Contrary to previous publications, the Harderian gland in both species studied possesses a specific duct system lined by mucous cells. However, the Harderian glands of these two species differ in shape, the histochemical nature of these mucous secretions, and the ultrastructure of the serous granules. In conclusion, though the Harderian glands of snakes are remarkably conserved morphologically, there is some interspecific variation. Susan J. Rehorek, Mimi Halpern, Bruce T. Firth, and Mark N. Hutchinso