Human ceruminous glands: a histochemical study

Abstract

Human ceruminous glands were treated for the histochemical demonstration of glycoproteins and of several enzymatic activities. Neutral mucopolysaccharides were detected in the cytoplasm and pigment granules of the epithelial cells, and acid glycoproteins were recognized only in a thin apical zone corresponding to the glycocalyx. Lysosomal enzymes were demonstrated within cytoplasmic granules, while peroxidase, G6PD and 6PGD showed a diffuse reactivity through the entire cytoplasm of the secretory cells. Age and sex-related differences were observed with respect to 17 beta-HSD and the 3 beta-HSD, whose reactivity appeared more intense in the young and in the female than in the old and in the male glands. Finally, all the ceruminous cells showed a strong prostaglandin synthetase reactivity.