The salivary glands are mixed glands: saliva (exocrine product) is involved inmaintaining oral homeostasis whereas endocrine secretions (eg growth factors) have aphysiological role (gametogenesis, osteogenesis, hypertension ..). In mammals, they displaysexual dimorphism suggesting a possible susceptibility to xeno-hormones.This manuscript presents the action of genistein (phytoestrogen) and/or vinclozolin (antiandrogenic)on the submandibular gland (SM) rats when performing an early exposure via themother (pregnancy, lactation) or an exposure during the growth period (from weaning toadulthood). The SM glands, collected at immature and young adult ages, have been analyzedaccording histological aspect and expression of molecular markers of endocrine and exocrinefunctions associated with gustatory process. The early exposure disrupted the development ofthe SM gland and selectively increases the sweet preference in immature males but not inadults; molecular analysis reveals a selective action on exocrine functions related to the sweetpreferences and also an action on endocrine functions (growth factors) which reverses withage. Exposure from weaning disrupts only the male salivary glands with alterations insecretory structures coupled with changes in expression of both, sex-hormone receptors andgrowth factors, but also in serum EGF.This study identifies the submandibular gland as a target for endocrine disruptors and raisesthe question of the further physiological consequences
