Excretion of Monovalent Ions and Water in the Saliva of the Ferret

Abstract

The excretion of water and the monovalent ions Naf, K+, Cl-, and HCO-3 in the parotid and submandibular saliva of the ferret was studied during pilocarpine-induced salivation. The excretory profiles of these ions were very similar to those of dog, monkey, and man. It was concluded that this docile small carnivore is a useful animal for studies of salivary gland physiology.