Secretion of monovalent ions and water in ferret salivary glands: a micropuncture study.

Overview

The acinar mechanisms of secretion of the monovalent ions, Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3-, and water in the parotid and submandibular glands of the ferret, Mustela putorius furo, were investigated using micropuncture and microanalytical techniques during salivation induced by pilocarpine. The osmolarity and monovalent ionic composition of the primary secretory fluid obtained from the intercalated ducts of these glands were determined.