Characterisation of sugar residues in glycoconjugates of pig mandibular gland by traditional and lectin histochemistry

Sugar residues are important components of salivary gland secretion. Traditional histochemical methods and lectin histochemistry were used to characterise glycoconjugates present in the mandibular gland of normal adult pigs. Acinar cells contained abundant quantities of glycoconjugates with the terminal trisaccharide sialic acid - (α2→3, 6) galactosyl (β1→3) N-acetylgalactosamine. Mandibular acinar cells also contained α and βN-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylglucosamine residues, whereas the demilunar cells contained glycoconjugates with fucose. mannose and N-acetylglucosamine residues In the duct systen a range of sugar residues were localised throughout the cell cytoplasm or limited to the apical surface. These results provide new knowledge concerning the structure of salivary glycoconjugates in normal adult pig and a basis for future pathological studies.