Mitotic activity and nuclear/cytoplasmatic ratio of the lachrymal and Harderian glands of the rat during postnatal life.
The authors performed a study of the mitotic activity and the nuclear/cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio during postnatal life of the lachrymal and Harderian glands of the rat. Based on the results, they concluded: (1) during the first days of postnatal life the development of lachrymal and Harderian glands was characterized by an intense mitotic activity and a low N/C ratio; (2) the period prior to eyelid disjunction was characterized by a diminished mitotic activity and a progressive and slow increase of the N/C ratio; (3) after eyelid disjunction, mitotic activity was reduced and an abrupt increase of the N/C ratio occurred, more evident in the Harderian gland; (4) during the final period of postnatal life studied mitotic activity was absent and the N/C ratio presented a higher, more constant level, which was always higher for the Harderian gland.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008938:Mitosis; D051381:Rats