Experimental Analysis of the Mouse Submaxillary Salivary Gland in Relationship to Its Nerve-Growth Factor Content

Abstract

It has been reported in previous work that the mouse submaxillary salivary glands contain a potent nerve-growth factor (NGF) that promotes the differentiation and growth of the sympathetic ganglia. It also has been reported that this factor is a protein that is present in higher concentration in the adult male than in the adult female gland. In the present paper the sexual dimorphism of the mouse submaxillary salivary gland was investigated with regard to the NGF content. Injections of testosterone in female mice called forth a marked increase of this factor. Conversely, castration of adult male mice resulted in a sharp decrease of the NGF. The relationship of the salivary protease to the NGF, both located in the tubular components of the gland, was investigated after ligature of the excretory duct of the gland. The possible role of the submaxillary salivary gland in the production of the NGF is discussed in the light of the present findings.