Abstract
The study was carried out to provide the basic histology of submandubular salivary gland in the giant pouched rat, as there is dearth of information of its microscopic architecture in available literature. This becomes more important as the possible use of this species of rodent is considered as a future laboratory animal of choice over the Winster rat because of its bigger size and possibility of the giant pouched rat domestication as a ready source of animal protein. Hence the need to understand the digestive biology to help animal nutritionist in feed formulation. The histology revealed the presence of both serous and mucus secretory acini. Some mucus cell presented serous demilumes. Myoeithelial cells were seen around secretory cells and the intercalated ducts. The serous gland region with more relatively profuse intralobular ducts was larger in size than the mucus gland region. The intralobular ducts of intercalated and striated ducts were lined by simple cuboidal and simple columnar cells respectively. The excretory duct was line by stratified cuboidal cells. The large serous glandular region reflects need for more enzymic action in the oral cavity while the mucus glands will help produce mucin that will lubricate the digestive tract. This study for the first time documents the normal histology of submandibular salivary gland in this species, hence filling the knowledge gap that will help further investigative research especially the role of myoepihelial cells in secretory glands tumours.
Highlights
The major mammalian salivary glands include the mandibular, submandibular, parotid, sublingual and zygomatic glands, while the minor are the buccal, labial, lingual and palatine glands [1,2,3]. These glands usually consist of two sections- the secretory and transport ducts [4,5]. The secretions from these glands referred to as saliva moistens the oral cavity mucosa as well as dry foods before swallowing [6], its high bicarbonate content serves as a buffer in the oral cavity
A fibrous capsule of dense connective tissue has been reported in European hamster -Cricetus cricetus [29]
A seromucous parotid gland has been reported in carnivores dog and cat, but an entirely mucus submandibular salivary gland has been reported in Ferrets [177], in Jaculus blanfordi it contains only serous acini [30]
Summary
The major mammalian salivary glands include the mandibular, submandibular, parotid, sublingual and zygomatic glands, while the minor are the buccal, labial, lingual and palatine glands [1,2,3]. These glands usually consist of two sections- the secretory and transport ducts [4,5]. It provides medium for food materials to stimulate the taste buds. It begins the digestion of carbohydrates via the digestive enzyme amylase and controls bacterial flora by secreting lysozyme [7]. There is reports that it secrets IgA, potassium and resorbs sodium [8,9]
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