Lectin histochemistry of dog major and minor salivary glands

The distribution of different carbohydrates in dog major and minor salivary glands was investigated using a peroxidase-labelled avidin-biotin method t o demonstrate binding of six lectins (Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin [Con A], Dolichos biflorus agglutinin [DBA], Arachis hypogaea (peanut) agglutini n [PNA], Glycine max agglutinin [SBA], Tetragonolobus purpurea agglutinin [ TGP] and wheat germ agglutinin [WGA]). With PNA, there was only weak staini ng in serous acini of parotid grands. Other lectins bound, to different deg rees, to different components of the salivary glands; differences could be detected between glands and between binding of different lectins to serous and mucous acinar cells and to the epithelial cell cytoplasm, luminal surfa ce and contents of ducts. These results provide a basis for the comparison of possible changes in carbohydrates which may occur in salivary gland dise ases. (C) Inra/Elsevier, Paris.