Salivary composition: effects of age and sex.

Sali~a from healthy individuals and from patients with various diseases, between the ages of 10 to 90, were collected. The amylase and protein composition were correlated with age, sex and state of health. The results indicate that the specific activity of arnylase decreased with increase in age. Men synthesize and secrete greater amounts of protein and amylase than women. Total protein and albumin increase with a simultaneous fall in IgA and IgG in octogenarians when compared with 10 year old healthy subjects. Amylase activity decreases also in patients with chronic pancreatitis and liver transplantation.