Comprehensive histochemical and stereological study of the parotid and sublingual salivary glands in Caucasian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

The present investigation tries to reflect histochemical and stereological properties of the parotid gland (PG) and
sublingual gland (SLG) in the Caucasian squirrel. Totally, five male Caucasian squirrels were used. The glands
were examind histochemical using PAS, Alcian blue (AB, pH = 2.5) and Aldehyde fucshin (AF) stainings. Total
volume of the glands, acini, ducts as well as total length of ducts were estimated using streological procedures.
The PG had a unique morphology and were connected to each other with an intermediated isthmus. The SLG was
oval-shaped. Serous acini of PG exhibited strong, negative and weak reaction with AF, AB and PAS, respectively.
While, mucous acini of SLG showed positive staining for AB and PAS, and negative staining for AF. The ductal
system was consisted of intercalated (Id), striated (SD) and excretory ducts (Ed). The Sd in PG was lined with
simple cuboidal to the columnar epithelium, while it was lined with simple cuboidal epithelium in SLG. The Ed
was lined with stratified cuboidal epithelium in both glands. The striated duct was longest duct in both glands,
the excretory and intercalated ducts were the shortest ones in PG and SLG, respectively. The maximum total
volume in both gland were blonged to the acini and straited ducts. It concluded that PG and SLG in the Caucasian
squirrel have some distinct structural properties in comparison to other rodents and mammalis species.