The Mouse Parotid Gland Preparation: An in vivo Pharmacological Tool

¹ Hahnemann University, Department of Pharmacology, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

The effects of several autonomic agents on total protein, amylase, RNase, calcium, potassium, and sodium levels and also on flow rate of mouse parotid saliva were investigated during the process of evaluating the in vivo mouse parotid gland preparation as a pharmacological tool. Acetylcholine and pilocarpine were used as secretagogues and produced different sequential patterns of sodium and enzyme levels secreted in mouse parotid saliva. Additionally, propranolol treatment was able to alter amylase and sodium levels produced by pilocarpine stimulation significantly, as well as alter calcium levels produced by both acetylcholine and pilocarpine stimulation. Phentolamine treatment resulted in higher amylase levels with both acetylcholine and pilocarpine stimulation. The use of acetylcholine as a secretagogue allows one to perform in vivo anticholinergic experiments which alter flow rates without significantly altering protein or ion levels secreted in mouse parotid saliva.