[Repeated amputation of the lower incisors in rats and the phenomena of salivary gland and testicular hypertrophy].

Repeated amputation of the lower incisors in rats, 11- and 14-days old, caused hypertrophy of the testis only in the presence of the submaxillary salivary glands. Bilateral submaxillary and sublingual sialadenectomy prevented hypertrophy of the testis. After the unilateral removal of these glands the weight of the testis increased, but its hypertrophy developed always. The absence of hypertrophy of the testis in the sialadenectomized animals led to the conclusion that the growth stimulating action on the testis of repeated amputations of the lower incisors was in some way mediated through the function of the salivary glands.