Characterisation of glycoconjugate sugar residues in the vomeronasal organof the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (Mammalia, xenarthra)

Conventional carbohydrate histochemistry and the binding patterns of 21 lec tins were analysed to characterise the glycoconjugate content in the compon ents of the vomeronasal organ of the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus. The mucomicrovillous complex of the sensory epithelium bound most of the lecti ns studied. No reaction was observed with Con A, PSA, S-Con A and SEA, and the sustentacular cells were stained with. UEA-I, DSL, LEL, STL and Con A. The vomeronasal receptor neurons were labelled with S-WGA, WGA, PNA, UEA-I, STL, Con A, S-Con A, ECL and RCA(120). The basal cell layer reacted with S -WGA, WGA, LCA, UEA-I, DSL, LEL, STL, Con A, JAC and VVA. The nonsensory ep ithelium exhibited a differential staining in relation to the different com ponents. The mucociliary complex stained with ECL, DBA, JAC, RCA(120), STL, LCA, PHA-E, PHA-L, LEL, BSL-I and VVA. However, SJA and UEA-I stained the mucus complex lining a subpopulation of columnar cells. The cytoplasm and c ell membranes of columnar cells was labelled with DBA, DSL and LCA. The api cal region of these cells exhibited moderate reactivity with LEL and SJA. N one of the lectins bound specifically to secretory granules of the nonsecre tory cells. Basal cells of the nonsensory epithelium were labelled with DSL , LEL, LCA, BSL-I and STL. The vomeronasal glands showed a positive reactio n with WGA, DSL, LEL, LCA, DBA, PNA, RCA(120) and SEA. Subpopulations of ac inar cells were observed with ECL, S-WGA, Con A, S-Con A and DBA. PNA and R CA(120) stained the cells lining the glandular ducts. In comparison with pr evious results obtained in the olfactory mucosa of the same group of armadi llos, the carbohydrate composition of the vomeronasal organ sensory epithel ium differed from the olfactory sensory epithelium. This is probably relate d to the different nature of molecules involved in the perireceptor process es.