Abstract: Background: Saliva composition shows hormone related changes suggesting that hormones may have a
role in the control of salivary gland functions. Aim of the work: The aim of this work is to throw light on the effect
of female sex hormones on the submandibular salivary gland. Material and methods: A total number of 50 adult
female Albino rats were used in the present study. Animals were divided into 3 groups as follow: Group І (GІ):
included 10 animals were used as control. Sham operation was performed for them. Group ІІ (GІІ: OVX): included
10 animals were bilaterally ovariectomized. Group ІІІ: included 30 animals: bilaterally ovariectomized and
received hormonal replacement therapy 1month after ovariectomy and divided into 3 subgroups; 10 animals each.
Group ІІІa: received estrogen only in a dose of 2.7 microgram/ day orally for one month. Group ІІІb: received
progesterone only in a dose of 0.27 mg orally for one month.Group ІІІc: received both estrogen and progesterone
of the previous doses orally for one month. Sections were obtained and subjected to examination with light
microscopy, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy,morphometric study and statistical analysis:
Results: Marked light, electron microscopic and morphometric changes were observed as a result of hormonal
depletion which improved by hormonal replacement. Conclusion: there is an intimate relation between the SMG
and the ovarian functions. Monitoring of the latter has been done by several methods like, basal body temperature or
by using the cervical mucous but these methods may be misleading.
[Eman E Abou Dief, Doha S. Mohamed, Hoda M. Elsayed and Moustafa I. Hassan. Structural and Quantitative
Changes in the Submandibular Salivary Gland of Ovariectomized Rats.