[Olfactory epithelium of the rat. Lectin-mediated histochemical studies]

A histochemical study with lectins of the olfactory epithelium of 5 Wistar rats was performed. This neuro-epithelium cover the postero-superior part of the nasal cavity and the medial part of the vomeronasal organon. There are numerous Bowman's glands in the olfactory epithelium, besides the sensory cells. These glandulae dye as well with PAS.AB, the same as the mucosal layer over the epithelium, which show its composition on sialo-sulfomucines. The mucous layer over the olfactory epithelium shows a great reactivity to WGA, moderate to PNA and Con-A and weak to SBA. On the other hand Bowman's glands show an intense reactivity to PNA and moderate to WGA, VEA-I and to Con-A.