Elevation of Amylolytic Activity in the Parotid Glands of Hypophysectomized Rats by Hormonal Replacement Therapy

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Abstract
Amylolytic activity and nitrogen content were studied in the parotid glands of hypophysectomized rats treated with a combination of somatotropin, thyroxine and corticosterone (STC) in order to determine the efficacy of STC in restoring to normal the lowered enzyme content of the gland that occurs after pituitary ablation. Hypophysectomy caused a reduction in parotid gland weight and in amylolytic activity and nitrogen content, when considered in relation to a unit weight of the gland, the total glandular weight or the body weight. Administration of STC restored the body weight, parotid gland weight, amylolytic activity and nitrogen content per unit weight of the gland, and the total amylolytic activity, to values not significantly different from those of nonhypophysectomized control rats. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with STC elevated the total nitrogen content of the gland above the level observed in nonhypophysectomized controls. On the basis of these and previous observations, it was inferred that the parotid gland is dependent on hypophysial somatotropin, thyroid hormones and adrenocortical steroids for full expression of its functional activity.