Comparison of the effects of parasympathetic nervous stimulation on cat submaxillary gland saliva

Response of the parotid gland of the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, to adrenergic stimulation

Adrenergic stimulation of parotid secretion was investigated in anaesthetised brushtail possums to ascertain fluid secretion rates and salivary composition. Because neither alpha- nor beta-adrenergic stimulation evoked saliva output, infusion of the adrenergic agonists was superimposed on a pre-existing bethanechol-stimulated flow. Isoprenaline infusion (2.4 nmol min-1) increased salivary amylase activity, [protein]; [HCO3]; [PO4] and [Ca], and amylase/Ca and protein/Ca ratios; reduced [Cl]; [K] and osmolality; but did not alter H+ activity; [urea]; [Na]; [Mg]; amylase/protein or saliva/plasma urea ratios. These data are consistent with isoprenaline stimulating acinar secretion of protein, Ca and PO4 but not the ion transport necessary for primary fluid formation at the endpieces and modifying transport of monovalent ions in the excurrent ducts. Consequently, the possum parotid has beta-adrenergic receptors in both the endpieces and excurrent ducts. Phenylephrine infusions at 2.4 and 24 nmol min-1 were without effect whereas phenylephrine at 240 nmol min-1 caused changes in salivary composition which paralleled those for isoprenaline administration but were generally of lesser magnitude. Thus, the possum parotid has few or no alpha-adrenergic receptors and the salivary response elicited was the result of cross-reaction of phenylephrine with beta-adrenergic receptors.

Secretion of electrolytes, protein and urea by the mandibular gland of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

Saliva was collected from the mandibular glands of anaesthetized common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) to ascertain maximal flow rates, salivary composition and possible adaptations, particularly PO4(3-) secretion, to assist digestion. After temporary catheterization of the main duct through its oral opening, salivary secretion was evoked at flow rates ranging from 0.02 +/- 0.002 (+/- SEM) ml.min-1 (0.7 +/- 0.07 microliter.min-1.kg body weight-1) to 0.4 +/- 0.05 ml.min-1 (14 +/- 1.9 microliters.min-1.kg body weight-1) by ipsilateral intracarotid infusion of acetylcholine. The [Na+] (15 +/- 5.1 to 58 +/- 8.6 mmol.l-1) and [HCO3-] (35 +/- 1.9 to 60 +/- 1.9 mmol.l-1) were positively correlated with salivary flow rate. The [K+] (58 +/- 5.2 to 30 +/- 2.4 mmol.l-1), [Ca2+] (10.4 +/- 1.67 to 4.1 +/- 0.44 mmol.l-1), [Mg2+] (0.94 +/- 0.137 to 0.17 +/- 0.032 mmol.l-1), [Cl-] (71 +/- 9.2 to 45 +/- 6.0 mmol.l-1), [urea] (9.3 +/- 0.79 to 5.1 +/- 0.54 mmol.l-1), H+ activity (29 +/- 1.6 to 17 +/- 1.6 nEq.l-1) and amylase activity (251 +/- 57.4 to 92 +/- 23.3 mu kat.l-1) were negatively correlated with flow. Both concentration and osmolality fell with increasing flow at the lower end of the flow range but osmolality always increased again by maximal flow whereas the relation between protein and flow was not consistent at the higher levels of flow and stimulation. Salivary [PO4(3+)] was not correlated with flow and at 3-14% of the plasma concentration was extremely low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of secretory nerve stimulation on acid phosphatase and peroxidase in submandibular saliva and acini in cats

The effects of parasympathetic or sympathetic nerve stimulation either alone, or in combination, on the acid phosphatase-containing central acinar cells and the peroxidase-containing demilunar cells of the cat submandibular salivary gland have been investigated by histochemical and cytochemical techniques. The results obtained with these techniques were correlated with biochemical assays for both enzymes in the saliva secreted. The results indicate that, although both sets of nerves probably affect both sets of cells, the predominant secretory effect of parasympathetic stimulation is on the central cells and, conversely, the predominant secretory effect of sympathetic stimulation is on the demilunes. Sympathetic stimulation appeared also to have initiated synthesis of peroxidase in the demilunar cells, especially when it was superimposed upon parasympathetic stimulation.

Calcium in salivary glands of the rat after autonomic denervation

Parasympathetic denervation reduced the size of the submandibular and major sublingual glands of the rat by about 30%. Calcium concentration was unchanged in the submandibular gland, but was reduced significantly in the sublingual gland. Sympathetic denervation elicited an increase in calcium concentration in the submandibular gland but not in the sublingual gland. Weight of the submandibular gland was reduced slightly, but that of the sublingual gland was not modified. After combined parasympathectomy and sympathectomy, both glands showed a significant decrease in size and calcium concentration.