title: Stereological and immunohistochemical study of development of human fetal labial salivary glands and their S-100 protein reactivity.
abstract: Stereological and certain histochemical aspects of fetal growth and development of human labial salivary glands are reported. Stereological analysis showed a highly significant progressive increase in proportional gland volume occupied by acini from 27% at 20 weeks to 56% at 38 weeks (P < 0.0001), and a comparable having of the relative gland volume occupied by connective tissue in the same period (P < 0.0001). Linear regression fitted the data well (r2 = 0.59 and 0.47 respectively, n = 46). The change in relative volume occupied by ducts or by vascular tissue was small and did not reach significance. S-100 protein reactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of cells of the labial gland primordia from their origin. As gland differentiation progressed, the S-100 reactivity became localized in basophil acinar cells and in proximal (intercalated and intralobular), but not in distal, duct cells. A gradual increase in intensity of S-100 protein activity at these sites during salivary gland development was observed. Morphological maturity seems to be complete before 29 weeks but myoepithelial cells could not be identified with certainty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Surgery, University of Dundee, Scotland.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Adi
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016014:Linear Models; D008046:Lip / Q000196:embryology*; D009929:Organ Size; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins