Developmental Changes in Sublingual Salivary Gland of Indian Buffalo during Prenatal and Neonatal Life

Background: The sublingual salivary gland being one of the major salivary glands contributes to a substantial amount of saliva secreted into the mouth. Saliva contains water, various enzymes, mucopolysaccharides and lubricating glycoproteins. It has an important role in providing lubrication for eating and vocalization, aid digestion and supply saliva for pH buffering. The study of prenatal development is prerequisite to understand the normal developmental biology of an organ. The documentation of normal foetal growth can serve as a guide for understanding the consequence of harmful influences at various stages of gestation. The present study was aimed at elucidating the histogenesis of sublingual gland of buffalo during prenatal as well as neonatal life. Methods: The study was carried out on 36 buffalo foetuses, during different stages of prenatal development, as well as 6 neonates. The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their curved crown rump length (CVRL). The ontogenetic events in histogenesis of sublingual salivary gland of foetal and neonatal buffaloes were observed. Result: The primordial anlage of monostomatic and polystomatic parts of sublingual gland was observed at 39th day and 53rd day of development respectively. The primary ducts (interlobular) were first observed at 80th day of development. The lobulation of the gland was started at 107th day of development, whereas the capsule formation was initiated by the aggregation of mesenchymal tissue at 121st day of development. The duct system was completed at 121st day of development. At same day, the terminal tubules attained the structure of the acini. The typical compound tubulo-acinar nature was first observed at 122nd day of development. The gland showed predominantly mucous type of cells at 137th day of development. The myoepithelial cells were first appeared at 138th day of development. The monostomatic and polystomatic parts were clearly distinguishable by connective tissue at 170th day of development. In neonates, the gland was of compound tubulo-acinar nature with a well-defined capsule. Localization of acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides was observed in mucous and goblet cells. Fine lipid droplets were observed in intralobular as well as interlobular connective tissue, however, phospholipids were found in the cell membrane of secretory acinar cells and ducts.