title: Gender differences in the saliva of young healthy subjects before and after citric acid stimulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gender differences in the function and anatomical features of salivary glands are well known. However, specific gender differences in the biochemical composition and salivary flow rate (SFR) remain uncertain. Collection methods affect the assessment of the salivary composition and SFR, which are also highly affected by acid stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we analyzed the differences in salivary characteristics of SFR, pH and salivary α-amylase (sAA) for 28 females and 27 males before and after citric acid stimulation, as measured by 3 different collection methods sequentially.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Salivary pH values were significantly lower in females than that in males, both before and after stimulation, irrespective of collection methods. Salivary pH consistently increased after acid stimulation in both genders. Mean SFR in females before acid stimulation was significantly lower than that in males in all 3 samples collected. No gender difference in sAA was evident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substantial gender differences in biochemistry and flow of saliva exist, and these findings are robust, as evidenced by reasonable consistency of the data among different saliva sampling methods.
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li-Hui
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China. Electronic address: chuanquanlin@gzucm.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chuan-Quan
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ru-Liu
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Long-Hui
authors.affiliation: Pi-wei Institute, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, No. 12 Airport Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, PR China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wei-Wen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D019343:Citric Acid; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases
keywords: Gender differences; Saliva; Salivary alpha-amylase activity; Salivary flow rate