Peptidergic innervation of the primate meibomian gland.

Abstract

The meibomian glands of rhesus and cynomolgous monkeys are richly innervated by diverse nerve fiber types. The immunohistochemical staining suggests a largely parasympathetic origin for this innervation, with relatively smaller contributions from sympathetic and sensory sources. These findings also suggest that meibomian gland secretion is under the control of diverse neurotransmitter-neuromodulator mechanisms.