Glycoconjugates in Sheep Buccal Glands Investigated by Conventional and Lectin Histochemistry

Sheep buccal glands consist of mucous acini capped by demilunes. Information on the chemical structure of their secretory glycoconjugates were obtained by means of a battery of peroxidase conjugated lectins with affinity for specific terminal and / or internal sugars. Neuraminidase procedures followed by lectin staining were also used to visualize the carbohydrate sequence. Stored secretions in mucous acinar cells contained glycoconjugates with N-acetylglucosamine and sialic acid linked to αN-acetylgalactosamine and galactosyl (β1→3) N-acetylgalactosamine. Demilunar cells displayed fucose, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine and a, N- acetylgalactosamine residues. Cells lining duct system showed a very strong staining at the apical surface and in the cytoplasm with UEA I, LTA and ConA