Glycoconjugates in salivary glands of rats during postnatal development.

In the salivary glands of young rats in different experimental conditions, we have found glycoconjugates containing hexosamines, hexoses, fucose and sialic acid in lower percentages than those found in adult rats. In the submandibular gland, the presence of sialic acid can be demonstrated only after the second week, whereas in the sublingual gland sialic acid is present in an amount roughly equal to half of what has been found in adult animals. The appearance of sialic acid in the submandibular gland is due to the development of the animals and not, as we had initially surmised to their diet.