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Crystallization of the saliva
The ovulation
related phenomenon of saliva crystallization
in a fern-like pattern was first observed
in 1957 by Andreoli and Della Porta from
University in Torino . J.M.Biel Casals (Casals
J.M.B., 1968) was the first to investigate
this phenomenon more extensively. He
examined 493 saliva samples and concluded
that the intensity of crystallization is
directly dependent on closeness of
ovulation. The method used for determination
of crystallization is simple: a drop of
saliva is placed on a glass slide and left
to dry at the room temperature. When
completely dry, the sample is examined
using small magnification.
Salivation (Gayton
C.A.,1981)
Main salivary
glands are: parotid, submandibular and
sublingual glands; there is also a lot of
small buccal glands. Daily salivation
ranges from 1000 to 1500 ml. Saliva consists
of two kinds of secretion: (1) serosus,
containing ptyalin, enzyme (alpha-amylases)
for starch digestion , and (2) mucous
secretion which protects and moists the
oral cavity. The saliva pH is between 6.0
and 7.4 . Salivary glands are compound
glands consisting of acinuses covered by
secretory glandular cells and system of
small ducts conducting saliva into the oral
cavity.
The secretion of
saliva takes place in two stages; at the
first stage, acinuses and, at the second,
ducts are involved. The acinuses secrete
the so called primary secretion containing
saliva enzymes in ionized solution which, as
regard ions, does not considerably differ
from plasma. However, the ion composition of
the primary secretion is significantly
modified in the ducts by two important
active transportations.
In the first
place, sodium ions are actively reabsorbed
from excretory ducts and potassium ions
are actively secreted in exchange.
Accordingly, the concentration of sodium as
well as chloride ions decreases while the
concentration of potassium increases.
Secondly, the bicarbonate ions are secreted
into excretory ducts by way of enzyme
carboanhydrasis that is in epithelial
cells of excretory ducts. In exchange for
bicarbonates, additional quantities of
chloride ions are passively reabsorbed from
excretory ducts . As a result of processes
of active transportation , in conditions of
rest, the concentration of sodium and
chloride ions in saliva is about 15 mEq/lit
each , being approximately 1/7 to 1/10 of
their concentration of plasma. On the other
hand, the concentration of potassium ions is
about 30 mEq/lit being approximately 7 times
higher than in plasma. The concentration of
bicarbonate ions is about 50-90 mEq/lit ,
being 2 to 4 times higher than in plasma.
When saliva is
been secreted more intensively, the
concentration of ions in saliva considerably
changes because the primary secrete in
acinuses is secreted 20 times faster. That
increase in fastness causes such an
acceleration of the flow of the secrete
through excretory ducts so that changes in
its composition that occur during the
passage take place to a considerably lesser
extent than they otherwise do.
Accordingly, when saliva is secreted more
intensively, the concentration of NaCl is
higher than usual and amounts to 1/2 to 2/3
of the one in plasma, while the
concentration of potassium is lower than
usual - only 4 times higher than in plasma.
Due to the fact
that a concentration of potassium ions in
saliva is high, any abnormal state
accompanied by long-term hypersalivation can
cause a serious loss of potassium ions and
severe potassium defecit.
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