Abstract

The postnatal development of zygomatic glands from guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) ranging from 2 to 140 days of postnatal life was studied by means of morphological and morphometric methods. The results showed that the body weight growth has occurred in two phases from 2 to 7 and from 14 to 140 days. With respect to gland mass, its growth has also occurred in two phases from 2 to 7 and from 14 to 140 days of life. Regarding morphometric data of glandular components, the volume density of acini has decreased at 140 days of postnatal life when compared to other periods adopted in this study as depicted by significant statistically differences (p<0.05). Ducts showed an increase of volume density at 2, 14 and 21 days of postnatal life. The volume density of stroma increased progressively (p<0.05) at 140 days only. Taken together, we concluded that the morphofunctional development occurs in the zygomatic gland following 140 days of postnatal life evidenced by decrease in volume density of acini and ducts and the growth of the stroma.

Key words: Zygomatic glands, development, guinea pig.