Lectin Histochemistry of Glycoconjugates in Mandibular Gland of Chicken

The distribution of glycoconjugates in the chicken mandibular gland was studied by means of light microscopic histochemical methods. The staining procedures employed were horseradish peroxidase conjugated lectin, Alcian blue pH 2.5-periodic acid-Schiff (AB pH 2.5-PAS), and high iron diamine-alcian blue pH 2.5 (HID-AB pH 2.5). The lectins used in the present study were Concanavalin A (Con A), Ricinus communis agglutinin-I (RCA-I), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), Ulex europeues agglutinin I (UEA-I), Limax flavus agglutinin (LFA), Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin (LTA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA). According to the results obtained, acidic and neutral glycoconjugates with α-D-mannose, αD-glucase, β-D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucasamine, α-L-fucose and sialic acid residues were visualized in the secretory cells of chicken mandibular gland.