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Related Experiment Videos

Environmental lighting and human salivary gland function.

I L Shannon, R P Feller, W B Wescott

    Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 1, 1975
    PubMed
    Summary

    Light deprivation significantly reduces salivary flow in humans, impacting both submandibular and parotid glands. This suggests the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in regulating resting saliva production, influenced by light exposure.

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    Area of Science:

    • Physiology
    • Neuroendocrinology

    Background:

    • Salivary flow is influenced by various physiological factors.
    • The role of external stimuli like light in regulating salivary gland function is not fully understood.
    • Previous research suggests potential links between light, the sympathetic nervous system, and glandular activity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of light deprivation on submandibular and parotid salivary flow rates.
    • To determine if the salivary glands accommodate to prolonged darkness.
    • To assess the effect of varying light intensities on parotid gland secretion.

    Main Methods:

    • Three experiments were conducted involving controlled light deprivation and exposure.
    • Submandibular and parotid saliva flow rates were measured under different light conditions.

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  • Saliva samples were collected sequentially in darkness to assess accommodation.

    • Main Results:

    • Light deprivation caused a 69% decrease in submandibular salivary flow rate.
    • No evidence of accommodation to darkness was observed in parotid saliva flow.
    • Resting parotid flow was maintained by light as low as 0.1 foot-candles (fc), with no significant increase up to 150 fc.

    Conclusions:

    • Photic input via the retina likely stimulates salivary glands through the superior cervical ganglion, involving the sympathetic nervous system.
    • The sympathetic nervous system regulates a component of resting flow in both parotid and submandibular glands.
    • Immediate restoration of salivary flow occurs upon reintroduction of light, indicating a direct and rapid response.