Apocrine Sweat Glands in the Angulus Oris of Microtine Rodents

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Abstract
Coiled, tubular glands of the apocrine, sudoriferous type occur in the angulus oris of microtine rodents (Synaptomys cooperi, Clethrionomys occidentalis, Microtus californicus and M. mexicanus) and are described here for the first time. This glandular tissue is similar in amount and structure in the three genera examined. The glands open into hair follicles and have dilated secretory tubules lined with cells that frequently exhibit an apocrine mode of secretory activity. They differ from the sudoriferous glands of the palmar and plantar pads of the same animals (Microtus californicus) not only in these features but also in their cytoplasmic content of lipid droplets. Glycogen granules and pigment (lipofuscin ?) are present in some secretory cells; ferric iron was not demonstrable. The structure of the glands is typical of the apocrine glands of some other mammalian Orders and is simpler and perhaps more generalized than that of the special dorsal and anal sudoriferous glands of some sciurids. The small number (2 to 3 per side) of the glands negates functional significance in thermoregulation but not the possibility of use in olfactory communication.

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