Lectin histochemical study of bovine lingual glands

Bovine lingual glands consist of mucous acini capped by demilunes. Information on the chemical structure of their secretory glycoconjugates was obtained by means of a battery of peroxidase-conjugated lectins with affinity for specific terminal sugars. Sialidase procedures followed by lectin staining were also used to visualize the sugar sequences. Stored secretions in mucous acinar cells contained fucose, N-acetylglucosamine, alpha and beta-N-acetylgalactosamine as terminal sugar residues and beta-galactose as penultimate sugar in a heterogeneous distribution. Demilunar cells failed to react with any of the lectins examined except that of Dolichos biflorus.