NOT FOUND REPOSITORY (Indian Institute of Science Bangalore) · 2003 · 11 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesEndocrinologyZoologyReproductive EndocrinologyReproductive PhysiologySteroid BiochemistryAdrenal HormonesAdrenal Steroid HormonesEndocrine AnatomyGonadal HormonesGonadal Steroid HormonesMammalian EndocrinologyAdrenal Androgen ProductionAdrenal AndrogensAdrenal Cortex AnatomyAdrenal Gland AnatomyEndocrine Gland AnatomyEndocrine Gland StructureGonadal Endocrine AnatomySteroid Degradation Products
We have investigated the ultrastructure of the temporal gland of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in the musth condition. We find that the organelles are highly evolved for the production of the androgen, testosterone which is reported to be very high in the Asian male elephant in full musth. The mitochondria bear cristae which are profuse and tubular, and occur along with many Golgi bodies. There is hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. All the structures involved in the production of androgen, as in the Leydig cell or the cells of the adrenal cortex, are thus found in abundance. Cellular structures also seem singularly evolved for the secretion of androgen and its degradation products.