Modification of the beta-adrenergic sensitivity of rat submandibular gland by constant light.

Rats exposed for 2, 5, 10, 20, 35 and 50 days to constant light (CL) showed beta-adrenergic desensitization of the submandibular gland as indicated by dose-response curves to 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 10.0, 30.0 and 50.0 micrograms/kg isoproterenol. The phenomenon, evident with 1.5, 2.0 and 50.0 micrograms/kg after 2 days at CL, was more intense as time of exposure increased to reach values of about 50% those for controls after 20 days. After 35 and 50 days, desensitization showed some reversion, but the secretory responses were still lower than for controls maintained under a typical photoperiod. In the groups of rats exposed to CL for 20 days, gland wet and dry weights were higher (10%) than those of controls. These changes probably indicate an adaptation of the sympathetic control of salivary secretion induced by environmental illumination.