Cytochemical demonstration of enzymatic activities of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands of Praomys (Mastomys) Natalensis.

Histochemical techniques were applied to salivary glands removed from adult multimmate rodents (Praomys) of either sex to detect and localize the following enzymatic activities: acid and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulphatase, ali-esterases, beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-betaglucosaminidase, and L-leucyl-aminopeptidase. No reaction was observed for alkaline phosphatase and glucuronidase. The glands reacted differently to the other enzymatic activities. Alkaline phosphatase and glucosaminidase were present only in one glandular type whereas arysulphatase and esterases were present in all types although demonstrating a variable staining intensity in different glands. Sharp differences in some enzymatic activities of the submandibular and parotid glands were related to the sex of the animal.