Regulation of the secretory process of granular components from the convoluted tubular cells of the mouse submandibular gland.

Autonomic regulation of the secretion of granule components in the convoluted tubular cells of male mouse submandibular glands was investigated with the use of an agar gel diffusion test using an antisera for male specific components. Whereas the injection of neither a parasympathomimetic agent (pilocarpine) nor a beta-adrenergic agent (isoproterenol) decreased the amount of the components in the glands, the injection of alpha-adrenergic agents (norepinephrine or phenylephrine) significantly decreased the amount of male specific components. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-blocker, completely inhibited these actions of norepinephrine and phenylephrine. These facts suggest that the alpha-adrenergic receptor participates in the secretion of male specific components present in the granules in the convoluted tubular cells of mouse submandibular glands.