The primordia of the fetal parotid salivary gland of the camel was firstly observed at the 32 mm CVRL stage as an outgrowth from the stomadeal epithelium. Hence, it is suggested that it has an ectodermal origin.
The initiation of the epithelial branching was associated with a high mitotic activity at the growing tip of the epithelial anlage, degradation of the basal lamina surrounding this tip, condensation of fine collagenic fibers and thin-walled blood vessels around the same area and with a prominent accumulation of neutral mucins and glycogen granules into the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells.
showed some goblet cells
The differentiated ductal epithelium containing acid carboxy mucins.
The undifferentiated acini were firstly detected at the 140 mm CVRL stage as solid cellular balls. Cytodifferentiation and luminization of such acini were advanced with progressed age.
In the full-term fetus the gland becomes of the compound acinar variety and its acinar cells were predominatly serous in addition to few mucous cells.