Lectin Histochemical Characterization of Glycoconjugates Present in Abomasal Epithelium of the Goat

Abstract

In the abomasal epithelium of the goat, glycoconjugates have been studied by means of selective histochemical methods. The staining procedures employed were alcian blue (AB) pH 1.0 AB pH 2.5, Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and AB pH 2.5-PAS. In addition twelve lectins, Triticum vulgaris WGA, Concana valin A, Glycine max SBA, Dolichos biflorus DBA, Arachis hypogea PNA, Solanum tuberosum STL, Datura stramonium DSA, Ulex europeus UEA-I, Bauhinia purpurea BPA, Ricinus communis RCAI, Lotus tetragonolobus LTA, and Limulus polyphemus LPA were applied to detect saccharides residues. According to the results obtained, the nature of glycoconjugates in mucous epithelium was found to change during cell migration from deep to superficial part. The surface mucous cells contained primarily neutral glycoconjugates with vicinal diol groupings and terminal fucose residues. By contrast, the mucous cells in deep pits and in pyloric glands contained acidic sulfated glycoconjugates with terminal sialic acid residues. The α-D-mannose, α-D-glucose, β-D-galactose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine were also found at the pyloric gland cells while they were smaller in amount at the surface mucous cells. The data suggested that changes of epithelial cells were closely correlated with cellular maturation.