Acid hydrolases in developing oro-facial structures of the rat

The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase as well as DNA and protein concentrations were determined in the mandibular arches of 14-day foetal rats. These components were also measured in the palates and mandibles of rats at 16 days of gestation, at birth and 5 days post partum. During palatal development, the activities of all enzymes increased significantly between the 16th day of gestation and 5th day post partum. Palatal DNA and protein concentrations increased between the 16th day of gestation and birth, and decreased between birth and the 5th day post partum. The activities of mandibular acid hydrolases also changed during development; however, there was no uniform pattern to these changes.