Lectin Histochemistry of the Glandular Part of the Gastric Mucosa of the One Humped Camel (Camelus dromedaries).

Abstract

Different lectins conjugated either to horseradish peroxides (HRP) or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to detect sugar residues of the epithelial glycoprotein in the gastric mucosa of the one humped camel (Camelus dromedaries). All mucus secreting cells were rich in oligosaccharides with terminal galactose (Gal), N-acetylgalactosamine (GaINAc), N-acetylglucosamine (GIcNAc), and neuraminic acid residues while α-L-fucose (a-L-Fuc.) could not be localized by FITC- conjugated UEA-I (Ulex europeus agglutinin-l). Surface mucous cells (SMC) and foveolar mucous cells (FMC) were devoid of α-D-glucose (α-D-Glc.) and α-D-mannose (aD-Man.), although glandular mucous cells (GMC) were rich in these sugars. Sialic acid with mono or di-0-acetyl substitution at carbons 7, 8, 9 of their polyhydroxyl side chain was the predominant form of the neuraminic acid.