The effect of the chewing side on parotid amylase secretion in conscious rabbits

This study was conducted to investigate whether changes in amylase output accompany changes in salivary flow which occur during feeding. New Zealand White rabbits were trained to eat food offered to them in the laboratory. After chronic parotid duct cannulation, saliva was collected and flow rates recorded bilaterally while the animals fed on fresh carrots or pelleted food. The amylase concentration (U/ml) obtained with carrots was greater than with pellets, but because of the differences in flow rate, the overall amylase output (U/min) for both foods did not differ. There was no difference in the amylase concentration in saliva collected either ipsilateral to or contralateral to the chewing side. However, amylase output was significantly greater ipsilateral than contralateral to chewing with both pellets (p less than 0.01) and carrots (p less than 0.05).