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.