Comparative Histochemical Study of Mucin in Colonic Goblet Cells of Albino Rat, Goat & Dog

Introduction: Goblet cells secrete high molecular weight glycoprotein known as mucin which forms a protective mucus blanket throughout the G.I.T. The present work characterizes histochemically different types of mucin in colonic goblet cells & makes a comparative study in animal species of different food habit. Methods:After ethical clearance tissues were taken from the proximal part of colon of albino rat, goat and dog, processed and stained with Alcian blue pH-1 ,Alcian blue pH-2.5, Aldehyde Fuschin ,Periodic acid Schiff ,combination stains of Aldehyde FuschinAlcian blue pH2.5 and Periodic acid SchiffAlcian blue pH 2.5. Result: Neutral mucin is present in small amount in colonic goblet cells of Albino rat and dog whereas traces in goat. Weakly sulphated acid mucin and sialomucin is present in substantial amount in Albino rat and moderate amount in goat and dog .Highly sulphated acid mucin is present in substantial amount in Albino rat and goat but moderate amount in dog. Acid mucin is predominantly found in colonic goblet cells of all these three animals. Discussion: A comparative study indicated that there is similarity in the type of mucin secreted by colonic goblet cells of goat which is a herbivore, dog a carnivore and albino rat an omnivore. Both types of mucins i.e acid and neutral are present with predominance of acid mucin in their colonic goblet cells. Hence, food habit seems to have negligible impact on the type of mucins secreted by colonic goblet cells. Conclusion :-Food habits seem to have negligible impact on the type of mucin secreted by colonic goblet cells in animals.