Hitherto, the effect of zinc deficiency on the rat parotid gland was not known. Male rats were fed either a low zinc diet (0.4-0.8 ppm Zn) or a zinc adequate diet (approximately 40 ppm Zn) for 35-42 days. The experimental animals exhibited retarded body growth, anorexia, loss of hair and decreases in plasma and hair zinc levels. In comparison to the ad libitum controls, the parotid glands of the pair-fed group showed a decrease in cell number, but an increase in cell mass, protein and amylase content. In the parotid glands of the experimental group, cell number was comparable to the pair-fed group, but there was a decrease in cell mass and protein content as compared to the pair-fed group. These findings suggest that zinc deficiency and its associated reduced food intake impair growth of the parotid gland and, further, that zinc deficiency per se appears to lead to a diminution in gland protein synthesis. It is proposed that a compromise in parotid gland function could be a contributory factor underlying the increased susceptibility to dental cares known to occur in zinc deficiency.