The role of autonomic innervation upon the 131i uptake by the submaxillary glands in hamsters

Abstract

The role of the autonomic innervation upon the 131I uptake by the submaxillary and retrolingual glands was studied in male hamsters. Four groups of animals were studied: ( a) with resection of superior cervical ganglia and sectioning of the chordalingual nerve, ( b) with resection of the superior cervical ganglia, ( c) with sectioning of the chordalingual nerve and ( d) sham operated. All these autonomic denervations were performed only on the left side. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation produced atrophy of the submaxillary gland but the combined denervation produced greater atrophy. Only the parasympathetic denervation, but not the sympathetic, produced atrophy of the retrolingual gland. Parasympathetic denervation increased both the 131I ratios of submaxillary gland plasma and retrolingual gland plasma . Sympathetic denervation decreased markedly these submaxillary gland plasma ratios but a much greater decrease was obtained by the combined parasympathetic-sympathetic denervation. No changes in retrolingual gland plasma ratios were produced by sympathetic denervation. The submaxillary 131I uptake, which is attributed to the granular tubules, appears to be controlled principally by the sympathetic innervation.