The administration of melatonin modified the submaxillary gland in male rats. Influence of castration
Rins de David, M.L.; Goldraij, A.
Acta Odontologica Latinoamericana Aol 2(1): 3-6
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0326-4815 PMID: 3870182 Document Number: 256985
The effect of melatonin on submaxillary glands of male rats was studied. Melatonin significantly reduced submaxillary gland weight. This finding was histometrically confirmed by a marked reduction in acini and tubule size. Histochemical observations showed that RNA and tryptophan (a histochemical marker of the presence of testosterone dependent-protein) were reduced by melatonin in the tubular cells. In castrated rats melatonin did not produce the same effect as in intact rats. These results suggest that melatonin reduces the development of rat submaxillary gland by a possible inhibitory effect in which testicular hormones would be involved.