Effects of a restricted diet on the submaxillary gland of intact and castrated male rats.

Effects of diet restriction (50% of normal) during 4 weeks were studied in intact (controls) and castrated rats. A restricted diet led to cessation of animal growth. No differences were observed between controls and castrated rats. However, underfeeding produced a reduction of testicular weight in intact rats. Histochemical observations showed a reduction of tryptophan (a marker of the presence of testosterone-dependent protein) in the submaxillary gland from animals fed a restricted-diet. In animals fed a normal diet, castration reduced significantly the gland weight, as well as the diameter of tubules and acini. When animals fed a restricted-diet are compared, no significant differences were found in the diameter of tubules and acini or in the weight of submaxillary glands.