Age-related decline of lymphoid-tissue components in the oral mucosa of the lip, cheek and soft palate of Macaca fascicularis

Abstract

In three mature monkeys (Macaca fascicularis; 3.5 +/- 0.3 kg in weight), the labial, buccal and soft-palate mucosae were examined morphologically and stereologically. Using fixation by perfusion, standardized methods of tissue preparation and morphometric analysis at the light-microscopic level, the gross dimensions (i.e., epithelial thickness, width of combined lamina propria/submucosa) and the volumetric composition of the oral mucosae were estimated and compared with those of young animals examined previously. The data show (1) an age-related decline in the volume and prevalence of organized lymphoid tissue (i.e., lymphoid follicles associated with secretory ducts), (2) a stable plasma-cell density in the interglandular connective tissue, and (3) an increase of glandular tissue in mature versus young animals. It is suggested that the lymphoid follicles associated with secretory ducts, providing for plasma-cell generation, mirror the tonsillar lymphoid tissue declining after puberty.

Age‐Related Changes in Rat Sublingual Salivary Gland Morphology1

“…The periductal lymphocytic foci that were identified in the sublingual glands in this study may represent normal periductal lymphoid tissue similar to that described in monkeys [Schroeder & Dorig-Schwarzenbach, 1984]. By contrast, in monkeys the quantity of lymphoid tissue is reported to decline with age while the frequency of foci increased with age in this study.…”

Minor Salivary Gland Duct-associated Lymphoid Tissue (DALT) in Monkeys Changes with Age

“…Nevertheless, in a recent study using M. /afscicu/ariis animals of approximately known age. Schroeder and Dorig-Schwarzenbach (1984) reported an age-related decline of DALT in young vetrsits mature animals. Averaged data of this study fit well into the curves over age, found in the present study (Figs.…”