关键词: 长爪沙鼠, 布氏田鼠, 啮齿类, 汗腺

Abstract: Mammals can sweat to regulate body temperature when exposed to high ambient tenperature,but it has been stated that rodents do not sweat,and there is little information on sweat glands in wild rodents. By using hematoxylin-eosin staining techniques,we examined the skin morphology,sweat gland distribution and density in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)and Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)． We did not find sweat glands on the skin of head,angulus oris,stethidium,armpit,abdomen,dorsum,and hindleg,but eccrine sweat glands on hairless palmar and hairy plantar skin were found in both Mongolian gerbils and Brandt’s voles. Density of sweat glands of  fore-paws (2. 40 ±0. 49 // mm² )was higher than that on hindpaws (0.15 ±0. 03 // mm² )in Mongolian gerbils,while there was no significant difference between fore-paws (0. 37 ±0. 05 // mm² )and hind-paws (0.21 ± 0.08 // mm² ) in Brandt’s voles. It seems that sweat gland density might be related to the hair condition of paws,density is low when the paw skin is hairy. We predict that the function of sweat gland in Mongolian gerbils and Brandt’s voles may help to increase heat dissipation and increase friction for locomotion.

Key words: Mongolian gerbils, Brandt’s vole, Rodents, Sweat gland