An experimental autoallergic sialadenitis of the submandibular glands of the Lewis rat has been induced by immunization with allogeneic submandibular gland homogenate and adjuvants. The severity, incidence and duration of the of the lesion were significantly greater when female allogeneic submandibular gland donors were sexually mature rather than sexually immature. Passive transfer of lymph node cells and/or serum from immunized animals with severe lesions into histocompatible recipients rarely induced lesions in the recipients.