Harderian Glands: Porphyrin Metabolism, Behavioral and Endocrine Effects

Harderian glands, first described by Jacob Harder in two species of deer in 1694, are large, intraorbital glands which, with but few exceptions, are found in all land vertebrates. Indeed, their relatively large size, their phylogenetic age, and persistent conservation in all groups as they emerged from an aqueous to an air/land environment lend strong support to the logical deduction that they probably play an essential role in the physiological adaptation to terrestrial life. Yet, few biologists know even what or where these glands are. For various reasons, the Harderian glands have not received the attention they deserve, and, as a result, the published works available have been scarce and scattered throughout the world literature. The current situation is remarkably similar to that which existed in regard to the pineal gland prior to the mid-1960s, i.e…, scattered literature, unknown function, few investigators, and little interest. Yet, following a few key papers, interest in the pineal gland expanded, and soon, an explosive increase in the knowledge and understanding of the pineal gland took place and continues today. Will history repeat itself? Initially, a few of us discussed the desirability of an informal Symposium on the Harderian glands.