PAROTID GLAND RESPONSE TO DEPLETED URANIUM ADMINISTRATION

In the experiment on 116 male rats using histological, morphometric and histochemical methods the parotid gland was studied 3 and 6 months after a single oral administration of an aqueous solution of depleted uranium oxides in the dose of 0,1 mg per 100 g of body weight. Histological and morphometric study at the time intervals examined have shown an increase in the area occupied by the interlobular stroma in sections of the gland as compared to the values in control animals, with a corresponding decrease in the area of the parenchyma of the organ. According to the histochemical studies, the activity of lactate and succinate dehydrogenase was increased in the serocytes of the secretory portions. In the excretory ducts no significant changes in the activity of dehydrogenases occurred, however, there was a significant increase in the area of striated excretory ducts. The population of mast cells in the interlobular stroma was significantly increased after 3 months and decreased after 6 months, simultaneously the changes of the ratios of their various forms was observed.

parotid gland, dehydrogenases, mast cells, depleted uranium