Summary
Rats starved for 40 hours showed similar appearances in both parotid glands despite the fact that cervical sympathectomy had been performed on one side 24 hours before the tissues were removed. The acini of both glands of each animal were loaded with secretory granules and amylase estimations on both sides were similar.
Rats starved for 40 hours and then fed chow for 1 1/2–2 1/2 hours showed variable depletion of secretory granules from their parotid acinar cells and corresponding alterations of amylase concentration. There was marked asynchrony in both granule depletion and the phase of resynthesis of individual cells. Rats starved during 40 hours and having had unilateral cervical sympathectomy 24 hours prior to a terminal eating phase of 1 1/2–2 1/2 hours showed big differences between the parotid glands on the different sides of each animal. The sympathectomised gland showed little or no depletion of secretory granules whereas the normally innervated gland showed a variable loss of granules, which was always greater than on the denervated side. Amylase estimations were also lower on the normally innervated side.
It is concluded that normal reflex secretion of acinar granules in parotid glands of rats on eating requires intact sympathetic nerve pathways.
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We wish to thank Mrs. Carolyn MacDonald, Mr. Peter Rowley and Mr. Ken Davies for technical assistance and Mr. M. J. Golbey, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Vancouver General Hospital for carrying out the amylase estimations.
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Harrop, T.J., Garrett, J.R. Effects of preganglionic sympathectomy on secretory changes in parotid acinar cells of rats on eating. Cell Tissue Res. 154, 135–150 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223160
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223160