QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE FLUCTUATION OF WATER IN THE MOUSE SUBMANDIBULAR-GLAND UNDER SECRETAGOGUE EFFECT

The short-term effects of two different secretagogues on the water con tained in the mouse submandibular gland were studied using the thermal analysis as investigation method. Isoproterenol induced a retention w hile pilocarpine promoted a release of weakly and strongly bound water . In addition, submandibular glands of subjects administered with isop roterenol were characterized by a thermal behaviour different in males and females above all as concerns the time of reaction to the secreta gogue; the reaction delay observed in females was correlated with the effects of this pharmacological substance on the convoluted granular t ubules that are responsible for the sexual dimorphism in mice.