[The infraorbital gland of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse 1838)].

The infraorbital gland of golden hamsters has been investigated light and electron microscopically. The main results are as follows: (1) The infraorbital gland of golden hamsters is a tubuloacinar gland. Tubuli and acini are enclosed in a basal lamina with some myoepithelial cells. The cells contain secretory granules with a heteromorphic structure. (2) Like salivary glands, the infraorbital gland of the golden hamster has a prominent duct system. Intercalated ducts have a stratified cuboidal epithelium with secretory granules. The intercalated ducts continue into the striated ducts. Cells here show basal striation, which by electron microscopy is resolved as basal invaginations of the plasma membrane with numerous elongated mitochondria in the pockets of cytoplasm so formed. In the epithelium of the striated ducts are many secretory cells. (3) Interlobular ducts consist of a pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The epithelial cells also show basal infoldings of the basal plasmalemma.