Characteristics of submandibular glands from young and aged rats

Submandibular glands from young adult and aged male and female rats have been examined and various descriptive parameters obtained. Several sex differences were observed with tissue from young and old animals. Sex differences were found in the gland contents of DNA, protein, and sialic acid and in some protein components resolved by gel electrophoresis. Significant age-related decreases in the gland contents of protein, sialic acid, and neutral sugar, but not DNA, were found with male rats. In female rats these values were constant across the animal's adult lifespan.