Morphometric study of the acinar cell development of mouse submandibular glands during the post natal period

ABSTRACT

It was studied the phases and rate of growth of the acinar cell population of the submandibular glands of male albino Swiss mice from 14 to 84 days of postnatal life. The frequency and absolute number of acinar cells were evaluated by morphometric counting methods using the light microscope. Cell frequency fluctuated throughout the study period from an initial value of 31,8 per cent to a final value of 36,6 per cent. The absolute number of acinar cells showed two distinct phases of significant growth, i.e., from 14 to 21 and from 28 to 84 days of development. Cell number did not increase between 21 and 28 days. Linear regression analysis yielded the following equation for the evolution of number of acinar cells from 14 to 84 days Y= 149,44 + 2,54 (x-40). Mean daily acinar cell accumulation calculated by the equation was 2,54 x 10 pot.5 cells/day