Ultrastructural study of elaunin fibres in the secretory coil of human eccrine sweat glands

Abstract

The basement membrane of the secretory coil of human eccrine sweat glands was studied by light and electron microscopy. With classical staining methods for the elastic system, elaunin ring fibres were observed in the basement membrane of the secretory coil. The ultrastructural study showed that elaunin fibres are formed by bundles of fibrotubules 10-12 nm in diameter surrounding aggregates of amorphous material. These fibres differ from elastic fibres which are thicker and have an amorphous material more homogeneous and abundant.