Histological, Histochemical, and Electron-microscopic Observations on the Postnatal Development of the Major Sublingual Gland of the Rat

Abstract

Studies in rats from birth to 10 weeks reveal that the major sublingual gland is well developed at birth. The only obvious change in the postnatal period occurs at the time of weaning (3-4 weeks), when there is a massive increase in diameter of the acini and intralobular ducts. Electron microscopic observations indicate that the secretory product of mucous acinar cells arises from Golgi vesicles but, in serous cells, secretory granules appear to arise directly in relation to the double membranes of endoplasmic reticulum.