Carbohydrate histochemistry of bovine duodenal glands.

The complex carbohydrates in the bovine duodenal glands were examined histochemically using 5 peroxidase-labeled lectins to achieve a better knowledge of their glycoprotein profiles. The presence of at least 2 different cell types and secretion of neutral mucin were observed in the bovine duodenal glands. The duodenal gland cells located in the central area of the lobules contained neutral glycoproteins with different saccharide residues as beta-D-gal-(1-3)-D-galNAc, alpha-D-galNAc, beta-(1-4)-D-glcNAc, NeuNAc and D-galNAc. The other cell types located in the peripheral area of the lobules contained alpha-L-Fuc, alpha-D-galNAc, beta-(1-4)-D-glcNAc, NeuNAc and D-galNAc. These findings seemed to be characteristic of a unique digestive process of the ruminant.