LECTIN HISTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF GLYCOCONJUGATES IN DOG EFFERENT DUCTULES

Glycoconjugates in the epithelial cells of the efferent ductules in th e dog were investigated using lectin histochemistry. These ductules co nnect the extratesticular rete with the epididymis. The epithelium of the ductules consisted both of ciliated and nonciliated cells. Whereas the apical zone of ciliated cells showed selective binding with WGA, SWGA, SNA, MAA and neuraminidase-PNA, that of nonciliated cells bound to all lectins used in the present study: WGA, SWGA, SNA, MAA, PNA, ne uraminidase-PNA, RCA1, DBA and SEA. The nonciliated cells were divided into 3 types: type A cells which lacked both specific granules and va cuoles, type B cells which were characterised by a few specific apical vacuoles and many large specific granules, and type C cells which wer e characterised by some specific apical vacuoles and small basal granu les. The specific granules and vacuoles of type B cells showed binding with WGA, SWGA and MAA. The specific granules of type C cells showed binding with WGA, SWGA, SNA, MAA, PNA and neuraminidase-PNA, while the ir specific vacuoles showed binding with WGA, SWGA, SNA and MAA. The G olgi zone both of ciliated and type A cells did not bind with any lect ins used in this study, while type B and C cells showed similar lectin binding patterns between the Golgi zone and their specific granules. Specific lectin binding patterns revealed a different carbohydrate com position of each type of cell, indicating a biological difference betw een the ciliated cells and the 3 types of nonciliated cells in dog eff erent ductules.