The antecubital organ of the primate slow loris (Nycticebus coucang coucang)

Abstract

A study of the 'antecubital organ' of the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang coucang), was undertaken in light and electron microscopes. As distinct from other prosimian primates there is a complete absence of interstitial cells in the gland suggesting its different functional role. The acinar cells in the 'antecubital organ' of slow loris contain large number of smooth ER and electron-dense secretory granules. The granules are seen both in the apical region of the cells as well as in their basal cytoplasmic processes. Some of these processes appear to terminate close to a blood capillary. The structural features of the 'antecubital organ' of slow loris suggest that it is a mixed gland of both exocrine and endocrine nature. © 1976.