1Department of Biopathological Sciences and Hygiene of Animal and Food Production, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
2Department of Environmental Sciences, Via Circonvallazione 93–95, 62024 Matelica (MC), Italy.
*For correspondence: Tel: +39 75 585 7632;, Fax: +39 75 585 7631; E-mail: vera.pedini@unipg.it
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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 α,N-acetylgalactosamine and galactosyl (β1→3) N-acetylgalactosamine. Demilunar cells displayed fucose, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine and α,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.
Sheep, lectin histochemistry, buccal glands, glycoconjugates
