Immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase in submandibular salivary glands of mice and hamsters treated with phenylephrine, testosterone or duct-ligation.

Using the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, the submandibular glands (SMG) from normal mice showed positive carbonic anhydrase (CA) staining in both striated duct (SD) and granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells, which varied from moderate to strong. In normal hamsters, the GCT showed strong focal staining. Phenylephrine in mice and hamsters resulted in a decrease in CA in GCT cells; staining was much reduced in the GCT segments of the mouse. One hour after a phenylephrine injection into testosterone-treated mice, there was no change in the staining intensity of GCT cells but an increase in cell size. Only a slight decrease in immunostaining occurred in mouse and hamster SD cells. CA staining in duct-ligated glands of mice decreased within 3 days but regenerated duct-like structures at later stages showed moderate staining.