Immunohistochemical demonstration of androgen receptors in human salivary glands.

Androgen receptors were demonstrated in human salivary glands by immunohistochemistry using polyclonal antibodies. Fresh, clinically healthy salivary gland samples (two from minor, seven from parotid and eight from submandibular glands) of both sexes were used. Frozen tissue sections were incubated with the antibody against human androgen receptor and visualized by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Androgen receptors could be detected in all salivary tissues studied. Positive staining was confined to nuclei of almost all acinar cells as well as to the majority of nuclei in ductal cells. Very few of the nuclei of connective tissue and endothelial cells stained positively. The presence of androgen receptors in human salivary glands suggests possible direct effects of androgens on these tissues.