Glandfed

Glandfed is a coined term used in speculative biology and science fiction to describe a state or process in which glandular secretions serve as a primary nutrient source or feeding signal for an organism or tissue. The term blends gland with fed, signaling feeding dynamics mediated by glands rather than external intake.

In hypothetical models, glandfed organisms may possess specialized glands that produce nutrient-rich fluids, including sugars, lipids, proteins, or vitamins, which are absorbed by nearby cells or by the organism itself. Secretion patterns are envisioned to be tightly regulated by metabolic needs, hormonal cues, or environmental conditions. Nutrient delivery can occur through ducts, direct extracellular uptake, or circulatory transport, depending on the imagined physiology. In ecological contexts, glandfed concepts can describe symbiotic relationships in which microbial partners metabolize glandular secretions produced by a host, forming a reciprocal nutrient loop.

Status and usage: glandfed is not a recognized term in mainstream biology. It appears mainly in speculative biology, world-building, or educational thought experiments rather than in peer-reviewed research. When used, it should be clearly defined within the context of the work to avoid ambiguity about mechanisms and implications.

See also: gland, secretion, metabolism, endocrinology, symbiosis, speculative biology.