Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Anatomy logoLink to Journal of Anatomy
. 1978 Aug;126(Pt 3):591–604.

Stereological analysis of the duct system of the rabbit parotid gland.

G H Cope
PMCID: PMC1235673  PMID: 689995

Abstract

The duct system of the rabbit parotid gland constitutes about 5% of gland tissue volume and is divisible into intercalated and striated ducts in a volumetric ratio of about 3:2. The intercalated duct consists of low cuboidal epithelial cells (375 micrometer 2) surrounded by a myoepithlium, and the cells contain a few small secretion granules, particularly at the proximal end of the duct. The cells of the striated duct are larger (531 micrometer 3), columnal in shape, and show a mitochondrial compartment three times that of intercalated duct cells (16.5% of cell volume). These mitochondria are concentrated in a basal and perinuclear position, but they are largely absent from the apical cytoplasm, which is permeated with microfilaments and contains numerous small smooth membraned vesicles, but no clearly recognisable secretion granules. The lateral plasmalemma of these cells is complexly folded, and basal processes interdigitate with those of adjacent cells. This results in an increase in the ratio of apical to lateral/basal plasmalemma from 1:5 in intercalated cells to 1:24 in striated cells. Some slight changes in cell morphology were detected following isoprenaline-induced secretion of the gland in vivo. These included a small increase in the volume fraction of nuclei and mitochondria in intercalated duct cells, and depletion of their secretion granules. Change in striated cells was confirmed to a small increase in the volume of smooth membraned cytoplasmic vesicles. The structure of the duct and changes wrought by isoprenaline are discussed in the context of the role of the duct in the production of saliva.

Full text

PDF
591

Images in this article

594Fig. 1
on p.594
596Fig. 2
on p.596
597Fig. 3
on p.597
599Fig. 4
on p.599

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Amsterdam A., Ohad I., Schramm M. Dynamic changes in the ultrastructure of the acinar cell of the rat parotid gland during the secretory cycle. J Cell Biol. 1969 Jun;41(3):753–773. doi: 10.1083/jcb.41.3.753. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Babad H., Ben-Zvi R., Bdolah A., Schramm M. The mechanism of enzyme secretion by the cell. 4. Effects of inducers, substrates and inhibitors on amylase secretion by rat parotid slices. Eur J Biochem. 1967 Mar;1(1):96–101. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1967.tb00049.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Barka T. Effect of isoproterenol on amino acid transport into rat salivary glands. Exp Cell Res. 1971 Feb;64(2):371–379. doi: 10.1016/0014-4827(71)90090-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Batzri S., Selinger Z., Schramm M. Potassium ion release and enzyme secretion: adrenergic regulation by alpha- and beta-receptors. Science. 1971 Dec 3;174(4013):1029–1031. doi: 10.1126/science.174.4013.1029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Bloom G. D., Carlsö B., Gustafsson H. An electron microscopic study on the autonomic innervation of the rabbit parotid gland. Experientia. 1976 Sep 15;32(9):1190–1191. doi: 10.1007/BF01927620. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Butcher F. R., Goldman R. H. Effect of cytochalasin B and colchicine on alpha-amylase release from rat parotid tissue slices. J Cell Biol. 1974 Feb;60(2):519–523. doi: 10.1083/jcb.60.2.519. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Butcher F. R., Goldman R. H. Effect of cytochalasin B and colchicine on the stimulation of -amylase release from rat parotid tissue slices. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1972 Jul 11;48(1):23–29. doi: 10.1016/0006-291x(72)90338-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Chang W. W., Barka T. Stimulation of acinar cell proliferation by isoproterenol in the postnatal rat submandibular gland. Anat Rec. 1974 Feb;178(2):203–209. doi: 10.1002/ar.1091780205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Chang W. W. Cell population changes during acinus formation in the postnatal rat submandibular gland. Anat Rec. 1974 Feb;178(2):187–201. doi: 10.1002/ar.1091780204. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Cope G. H., Pratten M. K., Williams M. A. Correlative morphological and biochemical study of the effects of isoprenaline on the organelle and membrane content of the rabbit parotid gland. Histochem J. 1976 Jul;8(4):403–418. doi: 10.1007/BF01003829. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Cope G. H. Stereological analysis of the mitochondrial compartment of the rabbit parotid gland before and after isoprenaline-induced degranulation. J Anat. 1977 Nov;124(Pt 2):323–333. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Cope G. H., Williams M. A. Exocrine secretion in the parotid gland: a stereological analysis at the electron microscopic level of the zymogen granule content before and after isoprenaline-induced degranulation. J Anat. 1973 Nov;116(Pt 2):269–284. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Cope G. H., Williams M. A. Improved preservation of parotid tissue for electron microscopy. A method permitting the collection of valid stereological data. J Cell Biol. 1974 Jan;60(1):292–297. doi: 10.1083/jcb.60.1.292. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Cope G. H., Williams M. A. Quantitative analyses of the constituent membranes of parotid acinar cells and of the changes evident after induced exocytosis. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat. 1973 Dec 6;145(3):311–330. doi: 10.1007/BF00307161. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Cutler L. S., Chaudhry A. P. Cytodifferentiation of striated duct cells and secretory cells of the convoluted granular tubules of the rat submandibular gland. Am J Anat. 1975 Jun;143(2):201–217. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001430204. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Ehinger B., Garrett J. R., Ohlin P. Adrenergic nerves in the major salivary glands of the rabbit. Experientia. 1967 Nov 15;23(11):924–924. doi: 10.1007/BF02136223. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Elias H., Hennig A., Schwartz D. E. Stereology: applications to biomedicalresearch. Physiol Rev. 1971 Jan;51(1):158–200. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1971.51.1.158. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Feinstein H., Schramm M. Energy production in rat parotid gland. Relation tonzyme secretion and effects of caium. Eur J Biochem. 1970 Mar 1;13(1):158–163. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1970.tb00912.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Flon H., Gerstner R., Mitchell O. G., Feldman A. Salivary glands of heteromyid rodents, with a summary of the literature on rodent submandibular gland morphology. J Morphol. 1970 Jun;131(2):179–193. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051310205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Garrett J. R., Kidd A. Effects of nerve stimulation and denervation on secretory material in submandibular striated duct cells of cats, and the possible role of these cells in the secretion of salivary kallikrein. Cell Tissue Res. 1975 Aug 1;161(1):71–84. doi: 10.1007/BF00222115. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Garrett J. R., Parsons P. A. Alkaline phosphatase and myoepithelial cells in the parotid gland of the rat. Histochem J. 1973 Sep;5(5):463–471. doi: 10.1007/BF01012003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Garrett J. R. Recent advances in physiology of salivary glands. Br Med Bull. 1975 May;31(2):152–155. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a071271. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Garrett J. R., Thulin A. Changes in parotid acinar cells accompanying salivary secretion in rats on sympathetic or parasympathetic nerve stimulation. Cell Tissue Res. 1975 Jun 9;159(2):179–193. doi: 10.1007/BF00219154. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Hand A. R. Adrenergic and cholinergic nerve terminals in the rat parotid gland. Electron microscopic observations on permanganate-fixed glands. Anat Rec. 1972 Jun;173(2):131–139. doi: 10.1002/ar.1091730202. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Hand A. R. Morphologic and cytochemical identification of peroxisomes in the rat parotid and other exocrine glands. J Histochem Cytochem. 1973 Feb;21(2):131–141. doi: 10.1177/21.2.131. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Leslie B. A., Putney J. W., Jr, Sherman J. M. alpha-Adrenergic, beta-adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms for amylase secretion by rat parotid gland in vitro. J Physiol. 1976 Sep;260(2):351–370. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1976.sp011519. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Lin S., Spudich J. A. On the molecular basis of action of cytochalasin B. J Supramol Struct. 1974;2(5-6):728–736. doi: 10.1002/jss.400020516. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Lindsay R. H., Ueha T., Hulsey B. S., Hanson R. W. Relationship of chemically initiated enzyme secretion to metabolism in rat parotid in vitro. Am J Physiol. 1971 Jul;221(1):80–85. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1971.221.1.80. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Mangos J. A., Braun G. Excretion of total solute, sodium and potassium in the saliva of the rat parotid gland. Pflugers Arch Gesamte Physiol Menschen Tiere. 1966;290(2):184–192. doi: 10.1007/BF00363695. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Mangos J. A., McSherry N. R., Arvanitakis S. N. Autonomic regulation of secretion and transductal fluxes of ions in the rat parotid. Am J Physiol. 1973 Sep;225(3):683–688. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1973.225.3.683. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Mangos J. A., McSherry N. R., Irwin K., Hong R. Handling of water and electrolytes by rabbit parotid and submaxillary glands. Am J Physiol. 1973 Aug;225(2):450–455. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1973.225.2.450. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Norberg K. A., Olson L. Adrenergic innervation of the salivary glands in the rat. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat. 1965 Oct 12;68(2):183–189. doi: 10.1007/BF00342427. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. PARKS H. F. On the fine structure of the parotid gland of mouse and rat. Am J Anat. 1961 May;108:303–329. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001080306. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Pohto P. Effect of isoprenaline, pilocarpine and prenylamine on amylase secretion in rat parotid saliva. J Oral Ther Pharmacol. 1968 May;4(6):467–474. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Riva A., Testa-Riva F., Del Fiacco M., Lantini M. S. Fine structure and cytochemistry of the intralobular ducts of the human parotid gland. J Anat. 1976 Dec;122(Pt 3):627–640. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. SCOTT B. L., PEASE D. C. Electron microscopy of the salivary and lacrimal glands of the rat. Am J Anat. 1959 Jan;104:115–161. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001040106. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. SHACKLEFORD J. M., KLAPPER E. C. Structure and carbohydrate histochemistry of mammalian salivary glands. Am J Anat. 1962 Jul;111:25–47. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001110104. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. SHACKLEFORD J. M., SCHNEYER C. A. STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF RODENT SALIVARY GLANDS INCLUDING TWO DESERT SPECIES. Am J Anat. 1964 Sep;115:279–307. doi: 10.1002/aja.1001150206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sasaki T., Litwack G., Baserga R. Protein synthesis in the early prereplicative phase of isoproterenol-stimulated synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid. J Biol Chem. 1969 Sep 25;244(18):4831–4837. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Schneyer L. H. Differential effects of cytochalasin B on Na and K transport in a perfused salivary duct. Am J Physiol. 1974 Sep;227(3):606–612. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1974.227.3.606. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Schneyer L. H., Young J. A., Schneyer C. A. Salivary secretion of electrolytes. Physiol Rev. 1972 Jul;52(3):720–777. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1972.52.3.720. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Schramm M., Selinger Z. The function of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors and a cholinergic receptor in the secretory cell of rat parotid gland. Adv Cytopharmacol. 1974;2:29–32. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Shackleford J. M., Schneyer L. H. Ultrastructural aspects of the main excretory duct of rat submandibular gland. Anat Rec. 1971 Apr;169(4):679–696. doi: 10.1002/ar.1091690407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Shackleford J. M., Wilborn W. H. Ultrastructural aspects of cat submandibular glands. J Morphol. 1970 Jul;131(3):253–276. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051310303. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Shear M. Ultrastructural studies of the intercalated ducts in rat parotid glands. S Afr J Med Sci. 1969 Apr;34(1):21–27. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Simson J. V. Discharge and restitution of secretory material in the rat parotid gland in response to isoproterenol. Z Zellforsch Mikrosk Anat. 1969;101(2):175–191. doi: 10.1007/BF00335726. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. TANDLER B. ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN SUBMAXILLARY GLAND. II. THE BASE OF THE STRIATED DUCT CELLS. J Ultrastruct Res. 1963 Aug;49:65–75. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5320(63)80036-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Anatomy are provided here courtesy of Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland

RESOURCES