Excretion of Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3- in the Saliva of the Rhesus Monkey

Abstract

The excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate in the parotid and submaxillary saliva was studied in five young adult monkeys (M. mulatta). After stimulation of the glands with pilocarpine (1.0-1.5 mg) injected intravenously, saliva was collected at progressively decreasing flow rates until the flow of saliva stopped. The glands were dissected and weighed, and flow rates were expressed as μ/min/g wet gland tissue. The concentrations of ions were related to flow rate. Sodium and bicarbonate concentrations were low at low flow rates and increased to a plateau with increasing flow rates. Potassium and chloride concentrations were high at low flow rates and gradually decreased with increasing flow rates. These patterns of excretion of ions were similar to those observed in man, suggesting that the rhesus monkey, an animal phylogenetically closely related to man, is suitable for experimental studies of salivary gland function.