Enzyme histochemistry of developing rat oral mucosa.

The oral mucosa of developing and mature rats was analyzed histochemically for regional enzyme differences. The following enzymes were studied: nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (alkpase), acid phosphatase (acidpase), 5'-nucleotidase (AMPase), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-pDH). All enzymes were active in the oral mucosa, but regional as well as tissue variations were observed. Epithelium in all regions showed acidpase staining. Oxidoreductases were found in all regions with variations within the epithelium. The epithelium of specific regions stained for alkpase and AMPase, while adjacent epithelium did not. We suggest that the alkpase and AMPase activities are associated with specific functions of the epithelium in these regions.