Morphological phenotypes and functional capabilities of submandibular parenchymal cells of the ferret investigated by protein, mucosubstance and enzyme histochemistry

Submandibular glands obtained post-mortem from mature ferrets of both sexes were examined with the use of light microscopical histochemical methods fo r proteins, mucosubstances and enzymes associated with cell functions or or ganelles. Demilunar cells showed carboxylated mucosubstances that were main ly non-sulphated, and diffuse activity for peroxidase, E600-sensitive ester ase and acid phosphatase. Thiol groups were also detected in these cells. C entral acinar cells showed sulphated mucosubstances, disulphides and reticu lar staining for thiamine pyrophosphatase. Intercalary ducts showed diffuse activity for NADH and NAD(P)H dehydrogenases. Striated ducts contained pro tein, tryptophan, disulphides, neutral mucosubstances and E600-sensitive es terase periluminally. Basally, the striated ductal cells showed variable ac tivity for peroxidase, cytochrome oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase. Basolateral plasma membranes of these cells exhibited ouabain -sensitive Na,K-ATPase activity. The collecting ducts were characterized by variable periluminal staining for acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, ac id beta-galactosidase and E600-resistant esterase. The results suggest that the histological appearances of the acini of the submandibular gland of th e ferret are dependent on the synthesis of secretory acid glycoproteins, th at the striated ducts are involved with the secretion of tryptophan-rich pr oduct comprising neutral glycoproteins and showing esterase activity and wi th marked transport of ions and that the collecting ducts are involved with absorption.