title: Immunocytochemical localization of lysozyme and beta-defensin in the apocrine glands of the equine scrotum.
abstract: The present study revealed in detail the subcellular localization of lysozyme and beta-defensin in the apocrine glands of the equine scrotal skin, a specific body region. The apocrine glandular cells were equipped with a varying number of secretory granules, a well-developed Golgi apparatus and abundant cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum within their cytoplasm. In these cells, reactive gold particles representing lysozyme were detectable in the secretory granules as well as the Golgi apparatus and elements of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptide group of beta-defensin was also localized in the above-mentioned ultrastructures of the secretory cells. The presence and secretion of such substances that may serve as a non-specific defense against microorganisms are suggestive of the protective effect of the secretory production elaborated by the apocrine glands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-8510, Japan. yasui@brs.nihon-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nara
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Habata
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Azuma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsukise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018870:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006736:Horses; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012611:Scrotum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D023083:beta-Defensins; D009113:Muramidase