犬

In this paper, the authors studied cytological changes of the apocrine sweat gland of the dog by means of microspectrophotometry induced by the pharmacological stimuli, namely , the quantitative variation of PAS positive materials (mucopolysaccharide and glycogen) contained in the cytoplasm of the cell. The results obtained are as follows: 1) Apocrine sweating has been responded to the cholinergic agents as well as the adrenergic agents. Systematic administration of cholinergic compound, such as mecholyl or acetylcholine , forms secretory vacuoles in the cytoplam of the gland cell. But, when injected adrenergic compound, none of the vacuoles were observed. 2) Cyclic activity can be evoked by local injection of sudorific agents. Most of the apocrine sweat glands showed typical apocrine secretion at fifteen minutes after injection. Two hours later, the epithelia of these secretory tubules are composed of low flattened secretory cells appearing resting stage. All of the apocrine sweat glands were recovered to their normal stage (accumulating stage) one day after injection. 3) Epithelial cells of the apocrine sweat glands contain abundant Schiff-reactive materials rich in mucopolysaccharide and also contain a little amount of glycogen. Variations of these materials following the functional cycle were observed. 4) Total amounts of mucopolysaccharide in the cell increase temporarily just after intradermal injection of sudorific agents, and then, they decrease acutely. This phenomenon indicates the intracellular synthesis of mucopolysaccharide, the precursor of apocrine secretion, for a short time after injection. The physiological property of the materials may be mechanical defense from the circumstantial injury like a dark cell of the eccrine sweat gland as well as a regulation of body temperature. 5) Glycogen in the epithelial cell decreases as soon as intradermal injection of sudorific agents. From the fact it may be supposed that glycogen is a source of basic energy of apocrine sweating.