DISTRIBUTION AND HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF SEBACEOUS AND SWEAT GLANDS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE SKIN OF TREE SQUIRRELS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Matthew Obot Akpan, Sunday Charles Olaogun* and Mutiu Olawale Rahmon

ABSTRACT

This study establishes distribution of sebaceous and sweat glands in different body regions of squirrels. A total number 10 apparently healthy squirrels were used for this study. Skin samples that were taken from selected regions of the body samples were histologically processed for microscopic examination. The slides were examined using the light microscope and histophotomicrography. Results reveal only two squirrels found to have sebaceous glands on their mouth parts with an average of approximately 1.88 ± 3.48 glands. Five having sebaceous glands on their head with an average of approximately 8.13 ± 9.82 glands. Four having sebaceous glands on their neck with an average of approximately 7.13 ± 9.03 glands. Four having sebaceous glands on their dorsum with an average of approximately 6.38 ± 5.93 glands. Seven having sebaceous glands on their ventral part with an average of approximately 7.13 ± 9.03 glands. Four having sebaceous glands at their tail with an average of approximately 4.75 ± 6.11 glands. One having sebaceous glands at their hind limb extremities with an average of approximately 1.88 ± 5.30 glands per 42.46 mm² field area per squirrel respectively. We concluded that the distribution of the sebaceous gland on the body of the squirrel is widely generalised with seven out of ten squirrels having the glands at their ventral region compared with just one squirrel having the gland on their hind limb. Further investigation required to determine reasons for more glands on the head region compared to other regions of the Tree squirrel body.

Keywords: Distribution, Histology, Sebaceous glands, Tree Squirrels, Nigeria.