HISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN HUMAN SALIVARY GLANDS

¹ Department of Dental Research, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Mass.

The localization of three hydrolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, nonspecific esterases, and -D-galactosidase, in human parotid and submaxillary glands was determined. Enzyme reactions were generally confined to the cytoplasm of serous cells and ducts. Nuclei were never observed to contain activity. Adipose tissue and mucous cells were usually negative. Mucous cells exhibited only -D-galactosidase activity and then this was limited to the basal membrane of these cells. No difference was observed in tissue obtained from male and female subjects. However, the reaction intensity appeared to be related to subject age. Specimens from infants demonstrated greater activity than adult specimens and components such as blood vessels and connective tissue, which were usually nonreactive in adult glands, were slightly reactive in infants.