Balakrishnan M, Alexander K M
TIT J Life Sci. 1977;7(1-2):13-21.
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.
侧腹腺在产后约第9天开始发挥功能，并呈现出夜间分泌高峰的分泌节律。脂质是总固体中的主要生化成分。相对而言，侧腹腺中的胆固醇、抗坏血酸和碱性磷酸酶含量远高于对照皮肤样本。腺体分泌物的圆盘电泳图谱显示，雄性和雌性鼩鼱分别有6种和8种蛋白质组分。观察发现，雄性鼩鼱的侧腹腺依赖雄激素。行为学观察表明，该腺体的分泌物用于标记目的。
