Developmental changes in and hormonal modulation of epidermal growth factor concentration in the rat submandibular gland

Developmental changes in and hormonal effects on the concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the rat submandibular gland were investigated. The level of EGF in the gland gradually increased with age from 4 up to 8 weeks of age; thereafter it increased markedly, reaching a plateau level at 12 weeks of age in both male and female rats. A significant sex difference in EGF levels was observed between 8 and 14 weeks, the level in the males being approximately twice as high as that in the females at 12 and 14 weeks of age. Castration of male rats decreased EGF to about the same level as that of control females. Treatment of castrated rats with testosterone propionate (TP) restored EGF to the levels in control male rats. Ovariectomy and/or administration of oestradiol-17β to ovariectomized rats had no apparent effect on EGF concentration. These findings indicate that the sex difference in EGF concentration can be attributed to the level of endogenous androgens. In addition, hypophysectomy of male rats caused a remarkable decrease in submandibular gland EGF to about 7% of the normal level. This reduction was significantly, although not completely, restored by the administration of TP, tri-iodothyronine (T3) or GH. Moreover, giving TP with T3 or with GH or both together had additive effects on the increase in EGF levels in hypophysectomized rats. These results provide evidence that EGF in the submandibular gland is regulated multi-hormonally by at least TP, T3 and GH. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 140, 357–363