The effects of dietary and pharmacological manipulation on lipid production in the meibomian and harderian glands of the rabbit

The nature and relative amounts of the lipids in the tear film appear to be critical factors for maintaining its stability. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that control the composition of these lipids provides a basis for manipulating the secretions to produce greater tear stability. The meibomian gland is mainly responsible for the lipids of the tear film, and in some species, the harderian gland may contribute secretions to this layer. However, this is not always the case because humans, for example, lack a harderian gland. Analysis of the lipid composition of the harderian and meibomian glands shows they differ. Therefore, by comparing changes in their lipid compositions following dietary or pharmacological manipulation, information about factors controlling lipid composition should be obtained. For example, androgens could play a major role in the nature of lipids secreted from the meibomian gland. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate changes to the lipid composition of the harderian and meibomian glands caused by pharmacological agents or dietary manipulation.