Histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV activities in the murine submandibular gland during pregnancy and lactation

The histochemical localization of AP and DPP IV activities in the submandib ular gland of pregnant and lactating female mice was studied and compared w ith activities of these Enzymes in the submandibular gland of control adult males and virgin females. During gestation, a significant increase of AP a nd DPP IV activities was detected in the pregnant female glandular parenchy ma. Between 15 to 21 days of gestation, the enzymic pattern of AP and DPP I V activities in submandibular gland of pregnant females was the same as in adult male gland. This finding suggests that in addition to androgens, prog esterone also exerts masculinization of the murine submandibular gland.