Abstract
Summary
The male gerbil has a mid-ventral gland composed of specialized sebaceous gland units associated with hair follicles. This gland hypertrophies and becomes active at the onset of sexual maturity. In the adult male, the gland is a slightly elevated orange fusiform pad in the mid-ventral line and averages 22.2 mm × 7.4 mm in length and width. The gland functions equally well when transplanted to another site of the body. Castration causes the gland to involute. However, this is reversible by administration of testosterone. The sebaceous glands of the mid-ventral skin of the gerbil are androgen sensitive.
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