Comparative carbohydrate histochemical study of the trachea of native sheep and goat

Abstract

The aim of this work was to explore the different types of carbohydrates histochemically in the trachea of local Awase sheep and to compare it with that of the local black goat. Ten tracheas from each sheep and goat were used for this study. Different histochemical methods were used to explore types and locations of carbohydrates in trachea’s wall of both animals. It was observed that the amount of mucus secreted from the anterior third of trachea was comparatively greater than that of the middle and posterior thirds due to its higher content of tracheal glands and goblet cells. The carbohydrate histochemistry of different constituents of the trachea showed that there was no noticeable difference between the two studied species. However, the glycogen was found in a greater amount in goat's trachea in comparison to sheep. The goblet cells and the mucous secretory units of the trachea showed a considerable amount of carboxylated glycoprotein together with a little amount of other forms of carbohydrates. The mucus that covers the lumen of the trachea contained almost all the carbohydrate substances with the exception of neutral glycoproteins. Chondrocytes contain glycogen, sulphated and neutral glycoproteins but didn't show any form of GAGs, whereas, the territorial matrix of the cartilage contains a mixture of carboxylated and sulphated GAGs with the predominance of the latter, but glycoproteins could not be detected. The interterritorial matrix contained mainly carboxylated glycosaminoglycans together with a little amount of glycoproteins. The columnar cells and the basal surface epithelial cells showed no reaction to any form of carbohydrates.