LECTIN HISTOCHEMISTRY OF GLYCOCONJUGATES IN HORSE SALIVARY-GLANDS

The glycoconjugate content of major horse salivary glands was investig ated by means of horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins. Qualitativ e differences were observed in the terminal sugar residues of secretor y glycoproteins and glycoconjugates linked to the apical surface of ex cretory duct epithelial cells. Mucous acinar cells in mandibular and s ublingual glands contained oligosaccharides with D-galactose, alpha- a nd beta-N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine and fucose residues , whereas mandibular, sublingual and parotid serous cells contained on ly oligosaccharides with terminal alpha- and beta-N-acetylgalactosamin e residues. The apical portion of striated and interlobular duct linin g cells of mandibular and sublingual glands stained for alpha- and bet a-N-acetylgalactosamine and for N-acetylglucosamine. In parotid gland the cytoplasm of intercalated duct cells and the apical surface of str iated duct epithelial cells stained for alpha-N-acetylgalactosamine.