The effect of sex hormones on lipid content and mast cell number in the harderian gland of the female toad, Bufo viridis |
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Authors: | Sergio Minucci Gabriella Chieffi Baccari Loredana Di Matteo |
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Abstract: | The Harderian gland of the toad Bufo viridis is a dimorphic gland owing to the presence of lipid droplets in the female glandular cells present only during summer months. Ovariectomy causes the disappearence of sudanophilia and estrogen-treatment completely prevents this change, while testosterone-injection has little effect. Estradiol-treatment also provokes a proliferation of the interstitial connective tissue concomitantly with the mast cell number increase. Our results suggest that estradiol acts, stimulating both mast cell and connective tissue proliferation, and plays a role in determining the expression of the female type of the toad Harderian gland. |
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Keywords: | Amphibia harderian gland ovariectomy sex hormones mast cells histology histochemistry ultrastructure |
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