Abstract
This chapter focuses primarily on the techniques used for the in vivo and in vitro studies of intact rat and rabbit mandibular glands. Whole gland preparation is a relatively simple and inexpensive technique, which has one important advantage—one can study a real physiological response n secretion. Studies of in vivo salivary glands have provided us with a basic understanding of saliva formation and its control. Using this preparation one can replace various ions in perfusing solutions and add ion transport inhibitors, and by measuring salivary secretory rate, ionic composition of saliva, and intracellular pH, it is possible to determine the ion transport systems involved in secretion. In vitro perfused glands have also been used to study the mechanism of nonelectrolyte secretion, which can be resolved into two components: passive diffusion and solvent drag. Even though studies of intact salivary glands have wide applications, there are some limitations. Salivary glands comprise several morphologically and functionally distinct epithelia––secretory end pieces and a series of ducts.
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