Morphological and biochemical study on the constituent cells and estrogen level of the rat submandibular gland.

Abstract

The constituent cells of the submandibular gland of immature rats were compared with those of adult animals as well as the estrogen and estrogen binding protein level. The submandibular gland of immature and that of adult animals were entirely different in structure. High levels of estrogen binding protein are present in the nuclei in the young male and female submandibular gland. Nuclear estradiol binding protein, however, was not detected in the gland of adults in both sexes. These results suggest that the submandibular gland of the immature rat is influenced by estrogen.