Modes of secretion: apocrine
These secretory cells of the mammary glands in the breast secrete by both the merocrine mode, for the protein component of milk, and the apocrine mode for the lipid components. Apocrine secretion involves the loss of a small amount of surface plasma membrane and cytoplasm along with the secretory product. Note the secretory product being released in the lower right of the image. Apocrine secretion occurs only in mammary glands. Breast 1000x
Acinus
These secretory cells of the mammary glands in the breast secrete by both the merocrine mode, for the protein component of milk, and the apocrine mode for the lipid components. Apocrine secretion involves the loss of a small amount of surface plasma membrane and cytoplasm along with the secretory product. Note the secretory product being released in the lower right of the image. Apocrine secretion occurs only in mammary glands. Breast 1000x
Lipid secretory product
These secretory cells of the mammary glands in the breast secrete by both the merocrine mode, for the protein component of milk, and the apocrine mode for the lipid components. Apocrine secretion involves the loss of a small amount of surface plasma membrane and cytoplasm along with the secretory product. Note the secretory product being released in the lower right of the image. Apocrine secretion occurs only in mammary glands. Breast 1000x
Cytoplasmic lipid droplets
These secretory cells of the mammary glands in the breast secrete by both the merocrine mode, for the protein component of milk, and the apocrine mode for the lipid components. Apocrine secretion involves the loss of a small amount of surface plasma membrane and cytoplasm along with the secretory product. Note the secretory product being released in the lower right of the image. Apocrine secretion occurs only in mammary glands. Breast 1000x