Histological Findings in the Salivary Glands of the Rat Following Sodium Fluoride Administration

Abstract

Intraperit. admn. of NaF to 20 rats, and subsequent study of their parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands showed definite modifications in the alveolar cells of both parotid and submaxillary glands. In the submaxillary alveolar cells there were changes in the proportionate number of one type of cell to another, enlargement of nuclei, staining irregularity, and vacuolation of the cytoplasm. The same cytoplasmic and nuclear changes, as well as an increased mitotic division, were found in the alveolar cells of the parotid gland. The sublingual gland remained unaltered. It is evident that serous cells of both parotid and submaxillary glands in the rat are specifically affected by the fluoride ion.