Carbohydrate components of hare oviduct studied by histochemical and biochemical techniques

Biochemical and histochemical analyses were carried out on the carbohydrate components of hare (Lepus europaeus) oviduct in anoestrous condition. Biochemical tests demonstrated that all the glycosidic components typical of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans are present in the ampulla and in the isthmus regions of oviduct, and that statistically significant differences exist in the sugar content between these two regions. In addition, lectin histochemistry combined with glycosidase digestion and selective histochemical stainings provided a series of rather detailed information on the localization of different neutral sugars and aminosugars. Hypotheses are advanced on the probable meaning of the different composition of ampullary and isthmic glycoconjugates in relation to the physiologically differentiated roles of the two oviduct tracts.