Hormone modulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in the submandibular gland (SG).

摘要

Sex hormone modulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in the submandibular gland (SG) was determined by studying the effect of estrogen or testosterone on SG EGF content in intact or gonadectomized male and female juvenile to adult Sprague Dawley rats. Intact male and female rat SGs showed increasing levels of EGF content with age, with both sexes exhibiting a dramatic increase in SG EGF at puberty. However, the intact male SG may be more responsive to sex hormone modulation than the intact female. Removal of the gonads resulted in a decrease in SG EGF content in both the male and female, especially post pubertally. The effect of steroids on SG EGF content was also confirmed by hormonal induction of precocious puberty in both male and female rats. Furthermore, uterine EGF content was obviated in ovariectomized, sialoadenectomized female rats but not in ovariectomized females. Thus, steroid hormone modulation of SG EGF content probably also reflects effects on release.