Effect of certain organic compounds on saliva secretion in sheep

In two sheep fitted with esophageal cannulas the stimulation of resting saliva secretion by intrabuccal injections of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and of certain organic plant compounds was investigated. Volatile fatty acids, salicin and vanillin increased saliva flow rate by 100, 76 and 72% over 2.5 min after injection. Minor positive or negative effects were obtained with quercitrin, protocatechuic acid, grass juice, anethole and agaricinic acid. Injections of volatile fatty acids and of salicin induced chewing activities, which were significantly correlated with salivary flow rates. The results indicate that organic plant compounds can provide a stimulus for saliva secretion mediated in part by chewing activities.