184 Organic Constituents of Saliva 



reinforces the conclusion drawn above that the control of protein 

 secretion is not directly dependent on water secretion. 



In the submaxillary gland in both the cat and the dog stimula- 

 tion of the sympathetic nerves produces a saliva rich in protein in 

 which both the character and the concentration of the protein are 

 relatively independent of the secretion produced by parasympa- 

 thetic stimulation in the same gland (Langstroth, McRae and 

 Stavraky, 1938&; Kesztyiis and Martin, 1937; Komarov and 

 Stavraky, 1940; Stavraky, 1940). For instance, when repetition of 



200 



600 uL 100 ° 



1400 







20 



60 



80 



40 



Sec 



Fig. 9.6. Dog parotid. Auriculo-temporal stimulation at 10 c/s. Single drops 



of saliva analysed. 



A rest period of 40 minutes had been allowed since the last period of stimulation. Note that 

 very soon after the start of stimulation a high peak of protein (1-5°,,) concentration (PJ is reached 

 followed by a minimum (o-i5° ) and then the gradual establishment of a steady protein concen- 

 tration. The concentration of protein in P x is dependent on the duration of the rest period. 



chorda stimulation has reduced the protein concentration of the 

 saliva to a low level sympathetic stimulation can still lead to a 

 saliva relatively rich in protein. In addition, the protein produced 

 by sympathetic stimulation appears to differ in physical and pos- 

 sibly chemical properties from that produced by chorda stimulation, 

 although it is not possible to say whether this is due to the addition 

 of a specific component or merely to a change in the proportions of 

 proteins present. In any case since there is evidence (Ch. Ill) that 

 the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres innervate the 

 same cells within the gland this difference must be explained as the 

 result of specific effects by the autonomic transmitters on extru- 

 sion of particular intracellular materials. 



