Effects of Prolonged Residence in the Antarctica upon Some Organic Constituents of Human Parotid Saliva

Summary

1. The parotid salivas of 29 naval personnel have been examined for rate of flow, protein, tyrosine, tryptophan and uric acid before and during assignment to duty at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. 2. The control parotid salivas contained 125 mg % protein, 5.2 mg % tyrosine, 2.8 mg % tryptophan. On a grouped basis, the saliva during the experimental period contained 157.2 mg % protein, 6.1 mg % tyrosine, and 3.7 mg % tryptophan (P<0.01, <0.05, <0.01, respectively). 3. No differences were observed between control and experimental periods for rate of flow, uric acid content, or for that portion of salivary protein precipitable with 30% TCA. The mean values were 0.8 ml/min, 3,5 mg % and 38,4%, respectively.

4. Differences between individuals were highly significant. No significant variations were observed between seasons in Antarctica.