Distributions and Histochemical Characteristics of Sebaceous and Sweat Glands in Siberian Weasels (Mustela sibirica coreana and Mustela sibirica itatsi)

Abstract

The distributions and histochemical characteristics of sebaceous and sweat glands were studied in Mustela sibirica coreana and Mustela sibirica itatsi. The density of the distributions of sebaceous glands was higher in the cheek, the back of the hands, the instep of the foots and the region around the anus than in the other portions. Sebaceous glands were classified into two types (Type I, Type II) according to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and moreover Type I was subdivided into two types (Type Ia, Type Ib) for the differences of 20a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aldolase activities. Type Ia gland was observed in the cheek, Type Ib was observed in the whole body and Type II was observed around the prepuce. The activities of steroid dehydrogenases in Type II gland were stronger than those in Type I gland, but the activities of nicotin amide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Type II gland were weaker than those in Type I gland. The peculiar localization of β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was observed in Type II gland. The density of the distribution of sweat glands was higher in the cheek than in the other portions. Sweat glands were classified into two types (Type I, Type II) according to steroid dehydrogenases activities and Type I glands were furthermore classified into three types (Type Ia, Type Ib, Type Ic) according to the differences of nicotin amide adenine dinucleotide tetrazolium reductase and aldolase activities. Type Ic was observed in the whole body, Type Ia in the cheek, Type Ib in the back of the forehand, Type II was observed around the prepuce. The distributions and histochemical characteristics of sebaceous and sweat glands were not different between Mustela sibirica coreana and Mustela sibirica itatsi.