l -THYROXINE, CORTISOL AND DIET AFFECT THE LEVEL OF AMYLASE IN THE PAROTID GLAND OF DEVELOPING RATS

The effects of cortisol (10 microgram/g body weight) and L-thyroxine (T4; 0.2 microgram/g body weight) on the activity of parotid gland amylase in young rats were investigated. Administration of cortisol or T4 for 5 consecutive days from day 5 after birth caused the precocious appearance of amylase, T4 having almost twice the effect of cortisol. Cortisol and T4 did not have synergistic effects. In thyroidectomized-adrenalectomized rats, T4 increased amylase activity but cortisol did not. The increase in enzyme activity after day 20 was much less in rats thyroidectomized on day 10 than in rats adrenalectomized on day 10. These results suggest that T4 has a direct effect on the early increase of amylase activity (days 15-25) and that the action of glucocorticoid requires the presence of endogenous thyroid hormones. The hormone-induced level of amylase in intact rats was less than that of normal adult rats. Forced weaning of intact rats resulted in a further increase in amylase activity, suggesting that further amylase accumulation (after day 25) may be due to dietary factors.