Abstract
1) Salivary glands of male adult rats decreased in weight markedly with the administration of the antithyroid substances such as thiouracil, methylmercaptoimidazole, thiourea and potassium thiocyanate given in drinking water for periods of two weeks. Methylthiouracil and potassium perchlorate had no effect on the weight of the salivary glands. Among three portions of the glands, the submaxillary glands were much more affected than others and this change seemed to be specific as compared with some endocrine organs, as well as liver, kidney and muscle of the levator ani.
2) No significant differences were recognized in the activity of succinoxidase in the homogenate, the oxygen consumption of the submaxillary glands slices, and the uptake of 32P by the submaxillary glands atrophied by the administration of antithyroid drugs as compared with the non-treated animal control.
3) The tendency of the increase of the water content was observed in the submaxillary glands atrophied by the treatment of the antithyroid drugs.
