Effect of Testosterone Propionate on Glycoproteins from Submandibular and Sublingual Glands of Male Mice

The effect of testosterone on glycoprotein synthesis in salivary glands has been worked out. When salivary gland sections were stained for Periodicacid (PAS) and Alcian blue (AB) techniques, it was observed that glycoproteins were mainly located in the secretory acini of salivary glands. The staining intensity was reduced in castrated mice and increased after the injection of testosterone (4mg/250g body wt.). Soluble glycoproteins from salivary glands were isolated from defatted powder of the glands wi1;h 1 M CaClj. In juveniles, concentrations of hexoses and sialic acid were low, increased in juvenile adults and were maximum in adults. In adult castrated mice, these concentrations decreased and upon testosterone propionate administration, they increased. Soluble glycoproteins were separated on 5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With AB pH 2.5 and AB pH 1 there were 2 bands for the submandibular gland for glycoproteins and 8 and 9 bands for AB pH2.5 and pH 1.0, respectively. In both the glands some bands completely disappeared and some of them were reduced in their intensity in castrated mice and intensity was regained after the injection of testosterone. The results suggest that testosterone plays an important role in the synthesis of glycoproteins in acinar cells of salivary glands.