Inguinal Glands Research Articles

Individual and Sex Differences in the Chemical Composition of Pheromone-Like Substances from the Skin Glands of the Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

The chemical compositions of secretions from the anal, chin, and inguinal glands from 1450 rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, caught in the field in Australia, were analyzed using gas chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and electrophoresis on agar and polyacrylamide gels. Analyses were carried out on pure secretions obtained from anal and chin glands, on sebum scraped from the inguinal pouches, and on lipid extracts of homogenates prepared from whole glands. Differences in the chemical composition of secretions from separate types of glands were found. In addition, variations in the composition of the same type of gland related to sex, as well as variations between individuals were demonstrated. Gland secretions contained proteins and carbohydrates. Lipid extracts obtained from gland homogenates consisted of hydrocarbons, nonglyceryl esters, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Triglycerides, diglycerides and monoglycerides were also present in extracts from the chin gland and the sebaceous portions of the inguinal glands. The significance of the results is discussed briefly.

Lymphography in diseases of the penis.

The importance of lymphography in carcinoma, elephantiasis and papilloma of the penis with significant balanitis and enlarged inguinal lymphoid glands was investigated. Lymphography is most valuable in penis carcinoma, because it permits a certain preoperative diagnosis of metastases to regional lymph nodes, and one can distinguish whether the enlargement of the lymphoid glands results from nonspecific inflammation or from malignant tumour metastases. Lymphography may serve to assess radiotherapeutic effects as well.

The response of the cutaneous glands to steroids

The subject of this paper is the way that the activity of skin glands, both sebaceous and apocrine, is controlled by steroid hormones, and how, with respect to the sebaceous glands of the rat at least, this control is mediated in situ by pituitary hormones. In the immature or castrated rat, as in many other species including man, the sebaceous glands are stimulated by androgens and inhibited by estrogens. After hypophysectomy, however, the effect of testosterone is insignificant, though the effects of androstenedione and of 5α-dihydrotestosterone remain substantial. The response to testosterone has been restored by preparations of growth hormone, prolactin or thyrotropic hormone. Steroids are converted in the skin, and it is suggested that a pituitary hormone may mediate the response of the sebaceous glands by influencing this conversion or by affecting the balance between free and conjugated testosterone. The three pairs of specialized apocrine glands in the rabbit all resemble the sebaceous glands in their responses to testosterone and estradiol. These glands, like many other cutaneous glands in different mammals, produce pheromones which are concerned with establishing dominance in territory (chin and anal glands) or act as sex attractants (inguinal glands). The production of pheromones, some of which may themselves be steroids, could be biologically significant for steroid transformations in skin.

The control of the apocrine glands of the rabbit by steroid hormones.

SUMMARY The rabbit has specialized apocrine glands in the submandibular (chin), inguinal and anal regions. The glands enlarge at puberty and are heavier and more active in mature males than females. Prepubertal castration causes the adult male to have lighter and less active glands than intact mature animals; this effect can be reversed by administration of testosterone (0·6 mg/24 h). Severe reduction in gland weight and activity below the level of the castrated animals was produced by administration of oestradiol (10–20 μg/24 h) either when given alone to intact males or together with testosterone to castrated males. The degree of depression by oestradiol varied between the three glandular regions. Progesterone (0·6 mg/24 h) was unable to stimulate the glands of castrated male rabbits but did modify the suppressive action of exogenous oestradiol. The sebaceous glands of the inguinal complex showed the same fluctuations in weight with hormone treatment as did the inguinal apocrine glands.

Inhibition of lactation and luteal function in postpartum rats by hypothalamic implantation of prolactin.

Lactating female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups on the 4th day post partum, and were given implants in the anterior median eminence of cocoa butter (controls); a mixture of prolactin and cocoa butter; prolactin, ACTH and cocoa butter; prolactin, GH and cocoa butter; or prolactin and cholesterol. On the day of implantation (day 0), litter size was reduced to 6 pups/mother and individual pup weights were recorded on days 2, 5 and 7 after implantation. Prolactin implants elicited a highly significant decrease in lactation as judged by litter weight gains when compared with the controls. Implants of prolactin and ACTH produced even greater reductions in litter weight gains than prolactin alone, reflecting the need for both hormones for maintenance of lactation. Implants of prolactin and GH had no greater inhibitory effect on lactation than prolactinalone. Implants of pellets of prolactin and cholesterol were ineffective for inhibiting lactating. The right inguinal mammary glands from rats give...

Prolactin-releasing activity of the hypothalamus in post-partum rats.

The mammotropic activity of saline homogenates of hypothalami and anterior pituitary glands, taken from virgin and postpartum rats, was determined. Three organs were pooled for each assay; they were homogenized in saline and injected subcutaneously for 5 days into 8 groups of albino rats, each weighing 200 ± 10 g, which had been primed with 8 μg/d/rat of estradiol for 10 days. The hypothalami and pituitary glands were taken from suckling mother rats 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 days post partum, and from virgin rats of the same age for controls. The rats that received the homogenates were killed 24 hr after the fifth injection; their inguinal mammary glands were removed, mounted, stained and examined in toto. The results indicated that the mammogenic activity of both the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland from post-partum rats is higher than that from virgin rats and that the peak of lactogenic activity is on the 10th day post partum for the hypothalamus, and around the 14th day for the pituitary...

A radioautographic study of cell proliferation in the mammary gland of the pregnant mouse.

AbstractProliferation of the mammary gland epithelium on days 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 19 pregnancy has been studied in mice, by means of radioautography. Each animal received an intraperitoneal injection of 25°c of tritiated thymidine and was killed one hour later. The inguinal mammary glands were processed for paraffin sectioning and radioautographs prepared using the dipping technique. The rate of mammary epithelial cell proliferation was quantitated for each animal by determining the percent of labeled epithelial cells in a large sample (> 2000 cells) of cells (labeling index).The data showed that the proliferative activity of the mammary epithelium during pregnancy followed a bimodal distribution. The first evidence of a proliferative response to pregnancy was noted on day 3. By day 4, the labeling index reached a maximum of 25.3%. The labeling index declined on days 6 and 8 to 7.5% and 8.0% respectively. On day 12, the labeling index increased to 12.1%, then fell to 7.9% and 1.3% on day 16 and 19, respectively.Separate labeling indexes were determined for the interlobular epithelium (ducts) on day 12, 16, and 19. The data showed that the labeling indexes of the interlobular and intralobular epithelium during these stages of pregnancy were not significantly different. The correlation of the hormones secreted during pregnancy with the data on mammary epithelial proliferation is discussed.

A sensitive in vitro method for prolactin determination.

SummaryThe mid-part of the inguinal mammary gland of non-primed virgin, me-testric albino rats, weighing 270 ± 10 g, is sensitive to 0.001 I.U./ml of prolactin when cultivated in enriched synthetic medium M-199 for a period of 2 days. This method may replace the standard crop-gland method for prolactin assay and other routine tests for prolactin, because of its reproducibility, high accuracy and specificity. Its quantitative aspects are being worked out.

The Comparative Behavior of Grant's and Thomson's Gazelles

The comparative behavior of two associated gazelles, Gazella granti and G. thomsonii was observed in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania during a 2½-year antelope behavior study. Though superficially alike, the two species actually differ so much in details that morphological characters alone are probably sufficient to prevent interspecific confusion. Ecologically, the gazelles have quite different requirements: thomsonii , a grazer, prefers short-grass steppe and requires water; granti is mostly a browser and water independent. They share the same six predators in Ngorongoro, of which two jackals are considered the most important, purely on the basis of fawn predation. The same elaborate system for concealing newborn fawns is found in both gazelles and mothers sometimes cooperate in pairs to drive away pair-hunting jackals. Adult thomsonii are preferred prey of East African wild dogs, and territorial male gazelles may be most vulnerable to their hunting methods. Behavioral interaction between associated ungulates is discussed and found to extend no further than mutual response to warning signals, probably even in the gazelles. The gazelle warning signals are practically identical, featuring snorting, stamping, twitching of the side stripe, and most important, stiff-legged bounding (stotting). Gazelles and many other gregarious, territorial antelopes have the same basic social system. Differences between the gazelles may be largely based on their habitat preferences; for example, granti males defend much larger territories than do thomsonii males. Grant's nursery herds are correspondingly widely spaced and also smaller, on the average. The two seem to differ most in territorial behavior, including fighting styles. Male thomsonii are more vigorously territorial, and besides scent-marking by urination-defecation like granti , mark extensively by means of a secretion from preorbital glands, which are less developed in granti . Agonistic encounters between granti males are usually settled by means of a neck intimidation display, whereas conflicts between thomsonii males routinely end in fighting. Neck development is very important in the granti fighting style, where males lock horns and push, attempting to twist one another out of position—this is the basis for the intimidation display. In thomsonii natural selection has operated on horn configuration and fighting style to produce a relatively safe type of parry-thrust combat, thus obviating the need for a display substitute. Compared to territorial behavior, epigamic behavior in the gazelles appears remarkably similar. However, subtle-looking differences in emphasis, sequences, and combinations of the basic displays turn out to be possibly as divergent as the epigamic displays that serve to sexually isolate some other genera. But in the absence of any demonstrated tendency for these gazelles to interbreed, morphological differences alone may be considered adequate species-specific isolating mechanisms. In this respect, olfactory differences may well be more important than visual characters: thomsonii have and granti lack strong-smelling inguinal glands.

Cell proliferation in the mammary gland during late pregnancy and lactation

AbstractNulliparous, CFW mice were injected with 25 m̈c of tritiated thymidine on day 19 of pregnancy, and days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20 of lactation. The animals were killed one hour after injection. The inguinal mammary glands were removed and processed for paraffin sectioning. Radioautographs were prepared, using the dipping technique.Quantitation of mammary epithelial cell proliferation for the intra‐ and interlobular (ducts) epithelium was performed by determining the percent of labeled epithelial cells in a large sample of cells (labeling index). It was concluded that epithelial cell sample sizes of 1,000–2,000 cells were adequate to measure mammary epithelial proliferation. A wave of epithelial proliferation was observed during early lactation. In the intralobular epithelium, a peak labeling index of 11.1% was attained on day two of lactation whereas a peak labeling index of 7.9% was observed on day three of lactation in the interlobular epithelium. Cells of the connective tissue and vascular bed proliferated in response to the growth of the mammary epithelium. Myoepithelial cells were frequently labeled on days two and three of lactation.

Carcinoma of scrotum induced by mineral oil.

Among about 250 automatic lathe operators employed in one Swedish engineering industry, 8 cases of scrotal cancer were discovered over a period of 24 years. These men represent an incidence of about 1400 per million per year. The exposure time to mineral oil was between 19 and 43 years. Treatment of solitary small and medium sized tumours was excision and direct suture. That for large or multiple tumours was total resection of the scrotal wall and reconstruction with split skin grafts. With clinically demonstrable lymph node metastases, bilateral inguinal gland dissection was done. Seven cases have been treated according to these principles and have shown no recurrence after an observation time of from 1 to 20 years. Prophylactic measures of a technical, hygienic, and medical character are discussed. In all probability those protective measures already in use, and those being planned by the industry in question, to reduce oil contamination of the skin to a minimum, will considerably diminish the risk of s...

A study on the weight of odoriferous and other glands in relation to the social status and degree of sexual activity in the wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

For the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in experimental enclosures, the weights of submandibular, anal, inguinal, Harder's, lachrymal, and thyroid glands were analysed statistically in relation to density of population, sex, sexual activity, social status, and weight of the rabbits. A statistically significant correlation between the sexual activity of males and the weight of their anal, iguinal, and submandibular glands was demonstrated. The same correlation could not be demonstrated for Harder's and thyroid glands. There were no differences in gland weights in females between populations of different densities, but in males the inguinal and submandibular glands were significantly heavier in low-density populations. A highly significant linear relationship between social status of male rabbits and the weight of their anal and inguinal glands was found. There was a less significant relationship in the case of Harder's and thyroid glands and none in the lachrymal. A linear relationship was not demonstrated for the submandibular gland but there was a difference between the dominant males and the rest. In females the weights of anal and inguinal glands were very significantly correlated with the social status of individuals. In the case of all other glands there was no correlation with social status. Social status was significantly correlated with body weight in males but not in females. There were statistically significant differences in the weights of the inguinal, thyroid, and lachrymal glands of males from enclosures with different densities of populations. The results suggest the importance of odoriferous glands in the social and territorial activities of the wild rabbit.

Observations on odoriferous and other glands in the Australian wild rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and the hare, Lepus europaeus P. II. The Inguinal glands

The histology and weight relationships of the inguinal glands from about 2000 wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), and 200 wild hares, Lepus europaeus P., have been studied. The inguinal glands of rabbits were smaller that those of hares. In rabbits the glands were largest in the males, but in hares females had the largest glands. In rabbits the weight and secretory activity of the inguinal glands were highest during the breeding season and lowest during the non-breeding season. Hares showed a similar but less pronounced fluctuation. Castration during early life inhibited the growth of the inguinal glands in male but not in female rabbits. The diameter of tubules and the height of the secretory epithelium in the sudoriferous inguinal glands were greater in sexually highly active (socially dominant) male and female rabbits than in sexually inhibited (subordinate) individuals. Changes in the sebaceous inguinal glands were less obvious, although it appeared that lightly secreting glands contained more lipid. No substantial changes were seen in the glands from a small sample of pseudopregnant female rabbits killed at different intervals after oestrus. The results obtained in the course of the study strengthen the view that the secretion (odour) from the inguinal glands is associated with sexual attraction.

STRENGTH OF SUCKLING STIMULUS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MAMMARY GLAND.

SummaryGalactophores of the right 6 mammary glands of rats were ligated on day 3 postpartum and litters were adjusted to contain either 3, 6, 9 or 12 pups. Mammary glands on left side were not ligated. Rats nursing 6 young but without galactophore ligation served as controls. Animals were sacrificed on day 14 postpartum and DNA content of both left and right abdominal–inguinal glands was determined. The posterior pair of pectoral glands was used for histological study. In galactophore-ligated rats, ligated glands were significantly smaller than contralateral non-ligated glands. DNA content of ligated glands of rats nursing 12 young was similar to that of corresponding control glands whereas DNA content of glands of rats nursing 3–9 young was less than control glands. In animals with galactophore ligation, non-ligated glands were significantly larger than corresponding glands of rats without galactophore ligation. It appears that the strength of the suckling stimulus is directly related to maintenance of t...

THE EFFECT OF OVARIAN AND HYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES ON MAMMARY GLAND EPITHELIAL CELL PROLIFERATION.

AbstractCastrated and castrated and hypophysectomized female mice (BALB/c) were injected subcutaneously with estradiol‐17β (0.5 μg or 1.0 μg/day) and progesterone (1.0 mg or 3 mg/day) in addition to prolactin (1.0 mg), oxytocin (1.0 IU) or growth hormone (1.0 mg), alone and in combination for 10 or 15 days. Twenty‐four hours after the last hormonal treatment, tritiated thymidine (0.7 μc/gram body weight) was injected intravenously, and the mice sacrificed six hours later. Tissue from the inguinal mammary glands was removed and processed for radioautographic, histological and whole mount study.Radioautographs of hematoxylin stained sections of mammary tissue from each animal were selected. Under oil immersion, 2,000 epithelial cells were consecutively counted and the number of labeled cells noted. Results are expressed as the per cent of labeled epithelial cells.All hormonal treatment, except oxytocin alone, caused a significant increase in per cent of labeled cells as compared to castrated, untreated animals. The per cent of labeled cells depended, in general, on the dosage and duration of treatment. Combinations of growth hormone with estradiol‐17β and progesterone did not augment epithelial proliferation. The addition of oxytocin or prolactin to the estradiol‐17β (0.5 μg) — progesterone (1.0 mg) combination significantly increased the per cent of labeled cells.Prolactin, but not oxytocin, augmented epithelial proliferation in similarly treated castrated and hypophysectomized mice. Combinations of estradiol‐17β (1.0 μg) and progesterone (3.0 mg) with oxytocin or prolactin did not significantly augment epithelial proliferation as compared to ovarian steroid treatment alone.

EXTENSION OF MAMMARY GLANDS TO THE POPLITEAL AND CUBITAL FOSSAE.

THE development and histology of the mouse mammary gland have been studied in detail1–3. The glands develop along the milk line and branch in the subcutaneous fat between the skin and skeletal muscle. The quantity of fat in the subcutaneous fat pad is greatest where the milk ducts later develop4. During lactation the distribution of the mammary glands visibly follows the subcutaneous fat tissue, the second inguinal mammary gland being reported to spread only into the inguino-genital area and the cubital only to the level of the fore-limbs.

Carcinoma of the female urethra.

SUMMARYAfter a review of the anatomy, aetiology and symptomatology of urethral carcinoma in the female, the treatment, with particular reference to radiotherapeutic methods, is discussed. Five cases are presented which have all been treated by radon implantation, and the author considers that this represents the most hopeful form of conservative therapy at present available. The high incidence of inguinal gland involvement is pointed out, and it is felt that there is a strong argument for their dissection in all cases.

Orbital reticulum-cell sarcoma with monocytic leukemia. Report of two cases.

In a previous paper, I1described 9 orbital reticulosarcomata, showing that they are the most common form of reticulosis and malignant tumors of the orbit in Egypt. The tumor affects any age and either sex. In all the described cases the liver and spleen were not enlarged. In 8 cases the blood and sternal bone marrow counts and in 7 cases the lymph glands were normal. One case showed reticulosarcomata of axillary and inguinal lymph glands and blood eosinophilia. Another case showed affection of secondary cervical lymph glands. Although reticulosarcomata usually occur without leukemia (aleukemic reticulosis), yet in rare cases, as described by Whitby and Britton,2monocytic leukemia is present. Monocytic leukemia is nearly always acute in form, death usually occurring within 3 to 6 months of the disease onset. The chronic form of the disease as stated by Hayhoe3and others has rarely been reported. Monocytic

LACK OF EFFECT OF THYMECTOMY ON INGUINAL LYMPH GLAND WEIGHT AND THYROID FUNCTION IN WEANLING RATS

Thymectomy (complete in two-thirds of the animals) was performed on 42 weanling rats and a sham operation on 44 controls. Examination of groups of the animals at 1 to 3½ weeks after thymectomy showed no significant differences in inguinal gland weight, thyroid weight, or thyroidal 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine between the thymectomized and control animals.

LACK OF EFFECT OF THYMECTOMY ON INGUINAL LYMPH GLAND WEIGHT AND THYROID FUNCTION IN WEANLING RATS

Thymectomy (complete in two-thirds of the animals) was performed on 42 weanling rats and a sham operation on 44 controls. Examination of groups of the animals at 1 to 3½ weeks after thymectomy showed no significant differences in inguinal gland weight, thyroid weight, or thyroidal 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine between the thymectomized and control animals.