title: Histological and histochemical observations on salivary microliths in ferret.
abstract: The fortuitous observation of salivary microliths in ferret was pursued in the present investigation. Major salivary glands obtained post-mortem from mature ferrets of either sex were examined with the use of histology and light microscopical histochemistry for calcium, protein, amino acids, mucosubstances and hydrolytic enzymes. Microliths were detected in most parotids, but were absent from submandibular and sublingual glands. The microliths were usually seen in lumens, and occasionally in parenchyma and interstices. They were variably stained for calcium, tryptophan, and neutral and acidic mucosubstances, similarly to acinar or ductal secretory granules. Unlike secretory granules, microliths showed autofluorescence, high levels of tyrosine and a low concentration of -SS- groups. Acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase reaction surrounded non-luminal microliths. The present data establish ferret as a new model for the investigation of salivary microliths and do not support the notion of microliths being almost absent from the parotid. Probably there is secretory inactivity in ferret parotid and this fosters the formation and accumulation of microliths containing calcium and disintegrated secretory material.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, Department and School of Dental Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5PS, UK. A.Triantafyllou@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: Asterios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triantafyllou
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009093:Mucus / Q000737:chemistry; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010306:Parotid Gland; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D013361:Sublingual Gland; D013363:Submandibular Gland; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D002118:Calcium