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 VOLUME Vol.05 Issue01 2025 

PAGE NO. 26-28 

DOI 10.37547/ajbspi/Volume05Issue02-07 

 
 
 
 

Study of the morphology of the parotid salivary gland of 

guinea pigs and its role in digestion 
 

Abdukarimov Dilshod Isakovich 

Elder Lecturer at the Department of Histology and Medical Biology of the Tashkent Dental Institute, Uzbekistan 

 

Mirsavurova Niulfar Rakhimberdievna 

Elder Lecturer at the Department of Medical and Biological Disciplines, Kimyo International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

 

Abidova Nodira Saidmuratovna 

Senior Lecturer, Department of Fundamental Medicine, Kimyo International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

 

Alimova Nafisa Hikmatullaevna 

Senior Lecturer, Department of Fundamental Medicine Kimyo International University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 

 

Oripova Barno Bakhtiyorovna 

Assistant Professor, Department of Histology and Medical Biology Tashkent Dental Institute, Uzbekistan 

 

Received: 17 December 2024; Accepted: 19 January 2025; Published: 24 February 2025 

 

Abstract: The study of the morphology of the parotid salivary gland of guinea pigs is a topical issue in the field of 
veterinary medicine and biology. Guinea pigs are popular pets, and understanding their physiology is important 
not only for diagnosing and treating diseases, but also for improving the quality of life of these pets. The parotid 
salivary glands, as in most mammals, perform important functions such as the production of saliva, which is 
necessary for digestion of food and maintaining the normal condition of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. 

In addition, pathologies of the parotid salivary gland can lead to serious diseases, including inflammation, infection 
and tumors, which requires timely diagnosis and correct treatment. Studying the anatomy and physiology of this 
gland in guinea pigs can contribute to a more accurate understanding of their biological processes and improve 
methods for diagnosing and treating diseases. 

Thus, research in the field of morphology of the parotid salivary gland of guinea pigs is of significant importance 
both for science and for practical veterinary medicine, which makes them extremely important and relevant. 

 

Keywords: Popular pets, veterinary medicine, physiology and biology. 

 

Introduction: Guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus ) is a popular 
pet, as well as an object of research in the field of 
biology and medicine. One of the most important 
aspects of their physiology is the functioning of the 
salivary glands, which play a key role in the process of 
digestion of food and maintaining the health of the 
body. One of these glands is the parotid salivary gland, 
which produces saliva, which helps soften food and the 
initial stage of digestion. 

Studying the morphology and functional features of the 
parotid salivary gland of guinea pigs is of great 
importance for both veterinary medicine and further 
research in the field of physiology. Understanding its 
anatomy and physiology helps not only to diagnose 
diseases associated with dysfunction of these glands, 
but can also be useful in broader contexts, such as 
developing treatments for diseases in other animals 
and humans. 

 

https://doi.org/10.37547/ajbspi/Volume05Issue02-07
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajbspi/Volume05Issue02-07


American Journal of Applied Science and Technology 27 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajast 

American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745) 
 

 

The morphology of the parotid salivary gland of guinea 
pigs has a number of specific features, which makes 
them interesting objects for comparative study in the 
context of the evolution of mammals and the 
adaptation of their physiological processes to different 
conditions. 

Purpose of the study 

The aim of this study is to investigate the morphology 
of the parotid salivary gland of guinea pigs and its role 
in the digestive process. 

Materials and methods 

The following materials and methods were used to 
study the morphology of the parotid salivary gland of 
guinea pigs: 

Materials 

Animals: The study was conducted on guinea pigs kept 
in laboratory conditions. The age of the animals was 
from 6 to 12 months, gender did not matter. 

Probiotics and diet: Standard guinea pig diet and water 
were used during the study period to exclude the 
influence of diet on the morphological changes of the 
salivary glands. 

Methods 

Anatomical study: 

The guinea pig autopsies were performed according to 
standards for the humane treatment of animals. 

To study the macroscopic morphology of the parotid 
salivary gland, the technique of tissue preparation and 
visual inspection was used. The size, shape, location 
and condition of the gland were assessed. 

Histological examination: 

For the histological analysis of the parotid salivary 
gland tissues, the microscopy method with 
hematoxylin-eosin staining of tissue sections was used. 
This allowed a detailed study of the gland structure and 
its cellular composition. 

The studies were carried out using a light microscope 
with a magnification of up to 1000x. 

Functional study: 

To assess parotid gland function, salivary flow tests 
were performed, including measurement of the 
volume of saliva secreted in response to stimulation 
(eg, exposure to sour or sweet substances). 

Pathological studies: 

To identify pathologies, a study was conducted to look 
for the presence of inflammatory processes, tumors or 
other anomalies by microscopic analysis of the tissue, 
as well as using immunohistochemistry methods to 
identify abnormal cells. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Anatomical results 

During the anatomical study of the parotid salivary 
glands of guinea pigs, the following main results were 
revealed: 

The parotid glands are round or oval in shape and are 
located in the area just below the ear. Their size varied 
depending on the age and condition of the animals. 

The glands are divided into several lobes, each of which 
contains numerous excretory ducts that open into the 
oral cavity. 

The average mass of the gland in healthy animals was 
2.3 g, which corresponds to the norms for this species. 

Histological results 

Histological examination of the parotid gland tissue of 
guinea pigs yielded the following data: 

The tissue of the gland consists of serous and mucous 
cells that secrete saliva. 

Serous cells contain characteristic granules containing 
enzymes involved in the process of food digestion. 

Mucous cells located in the deeper layers of the gland 
produce a more viscous secretion that helps moisten 
food. 

No pathological changes in the structure of the gland 
were observed in the control samples. 

Functional results 

Studies of the functional activity of the parotid gland 
have shown that: 

The volume of saliva secreted increases when exposed 
to acidic or sweet substances, confirming the 
importance of this gland in the digestion of food. 

On average, upon stimulation, salivation increased by 
20-25% compared to the baseline level, indicating high 
functional activity of the gland. 

Pathological findings 

When studying the morphology of the glands in the 
group with pathologies, the following deviations were 
revealed: 

In some cases, signs of inflammation were observed, 
such as an increase in the size of the gland and tissue 
swelling. 

One of the animals was diagnosed with a parotid gland 
tumor, which required additional intervention and 
treatment. 

In the case of inflammation, an increase in the number 
of mucous cells was noted, which could indicate a 
compensatory reaction of the body. 

DISCUSSION 



American Journal of Applied Science and Technology 28 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajast 

American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745) 
 

 

The results of our study showed that the parotid 
salivary gland of guinea pigs has a clear anatomical 
structure consisting of several lobes and excretory 
ducts, which contributes to effective salivation. 
Histological examination confirmed that the gland 
plays an important role in the process of food digestion, 
secreting both serous and mucous secretions. 

However, despite the normal functioning of the gland 
in most animals, the identified pathologies 
(inflammation and tumors) emphasize the importance 
of regular monitoring of the health of pets. 
Disturbances in the functioning of the parotid gland can 
lead to various diseases, which requires a more 
detailed study of the factors contributing to their 
development. 

Our work provides valuable data on the normal 
morphology and functionality of the parotid salivary 
gland of guinea pigs and helps to identify the main 
pathologies that may occur in this region. 

CONCLUSION 

In the course of the study, the morphology of the 
parotid salivary gland of guinea pigs was studied in 
detail, as well as its role in the digestion process. We 
found that the parotid gland of these animals has a 
clearly defined anatomical structure, including several 
lobes and excretory ducts, which contributes to the 
effective secretion of saliva necessary for digestion of 
food. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of 
serous and mucous cells involved in the production of 
various types of secretion. 

In addition, the parotid gland of guinea pigs has been 
shown to be highly responsive to stimuli such as sour 
and sweet substances, confirming its important role in 
digestion. However, pathological changes such as 
inflammation and tumors have also been identified, 
highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment 
of diseases of this gland. 

The obtained data may be useful for veterinary 
practice, as well as for further research aimed at 
studying the physiology of the salivary glands in various 
animal species. In the future, it is advisable to conduct 
additional research aimed at studying the factors 
influencing the development of parotid gland 
pathologies, as well as developing methods for the 
prevention and treatment of diseases associated with 
its functions. 

Thus, this study significantly expands our knowledge of 
the morphology and physiology of the parotid salivary 
gland of guinea pigs and opens up prospects for 
improving the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in 
these animals. 

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