The Comparative Distribution of Glycogen, Succinic Dehydrogenase, and Acid Mucopolysaccharides in Different-aged Animals

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Abstract
Sections of palate and gingiva of 100 Long-Evans rats, 75 Syrian hamsters and 2 rhesus monkeys were examined by histochemical methods. Gycogen was most abundant in the outer stratum Malpighii of the palate and marginal gingiva of young rodents. Since these are areas where tissue abrasion may occur during mastication a possible correlation is suggested between rate of formation of keratin and the production of rodent epithelial glycogea Glycogen was not demonstrable in monkey oral mucous membrane indicating a possible species difference in carbohydrate metabolism. Succinic dehydrogenase activity was demonstrated in the basal cells of the stratum Malpighii of all the animals studied and did not appear to vary with age or degree of keratinization. Since succinic dehydrogenase and glycogen are found in different locations other enzyme systems may be associated with rodent glycogen formation. The Rinehart technique for acid mucopolysaccharides was not observed to stain epithelial intercellular cement but stained tunica propria ground substance, particularly in the palatine rugae. The intensity of this staining reaction appeared to increase with age.