Structural and cytochemical observations in the submandibular gland of unweaned cats.

An investigation by electron microscope was performed on the submandibular gland of unweaned cats for studying its morphology and carbohydrate histochemistry. The cytoarchitecture was comparable with that of adult animals with the exception of the degree of membrane merging in both demilunar and acinar cell secretory granules. Conversely, the submandibular gland of unweaned cats showed a peculiar HID-TCH-SP reactivity at acinar cell level.