Wasting syndrome in neonatal mice after administration of salivary gland homogenate

A wasting syndrome, similar to that occurring after cortisol treatment, was induced in neonatal mice by means of the daily i.p. administration of salivary gland homogenate: 24 h after a single injection of the homogenate, profuse cell necrosis was observed in the thymic cortex, 48 h later the cortex was devoid by lymphocytes. It is hypothesized that the submandibular glands of mice contain substances which are capable of inducing a cortisol-like effect.