Genetic and histological correlation between the musk gland and skin of Chinese forest musk deer

Abstract

Chinese forest musk deer (FMD,Moschus berezovskii) glands have the ability to secrete musk, which plays an important role in attracting females during the breeding season. Sebaceous glands (SGs) are exocrine skin glands associated with hair follicles that continuously release a mixture of sebum, lipids and cellular debris, by holocrine secretion. Both the musk gland and the skin tissues of the FMD contain abundant sebaceous glands, andSox9,Caveolin1, andAndrogen receptor(AR) are all involved in the regulation of sebum secretion by the sebaceous glands. However, there are fewer studies on the correlation between skin and musk gland and the expression ofSox9,Caveolin1, andARin the musk gland and skin tissue of FMD. To address this gap, we analyzed biochemical data from FMD skin tissues and musk glands using transcriptomic data, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), tissue dissection, and RT-qPCR. Anatomical results show that only adult male FMD had complete glandular part and sachets, while 4-month-old FMD do not have well-developed sachets. Transcriptomic data showed that 88.24% of genes were co-expressed in the skin and musk gland tissues of FMD. The WB, IHC, and RT-qPCR results showed that the genes involved in regulating sebum secretion,Sox9,Caveolin1, andARwere expressed in the skin tissues and musk glands. In summary, skin tissues and musk gland tissue have a strong correlation, andSox9,Caveolin1, andARmay play important roles in skin tissues and musk gland tissue.