A study on the physiology and biochemistry of the flank gland of the musk shrew, Suncus murinus viridescens (Blyth).

The flank gland becomes functional by about the 9th day after parturition and exhibits a secretory rhythm with a nocturnal peak. Lipids constitute the major biochemical constituent of the total solids. Relatively, cholesterol, ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase contents of the flank gland were much higher than those of the control skin samples. Disc electrophoretic pattern of glandular secretion reveal that male and female shrews have 6 & 8 protein fractions respectively. The flank gland was observed to be androgen-dependent in male shrews. Ethological observations indicate that secretions of this gland are used for marking purposes.