The presence of active, mature goblet cells in the small intestine of newborn miniature piglets

Abstract

Goblet cells in the intestine produce intestinal mucus, which acts as a protective barrier. Histochemical studies in 1-wk-old piglets have shown that goblet cells were fully mature, and contained both neutral and acidic mucopolysaccharides. There is no information, however, about the secretory activity of goblet cells in newborn piglets. We present evidence that goblet cells in newborn, nonsuckled miniature piglets actively synthesize and secrete glycoproteins, as detected by wheat germ agglutiningold conjugates (WGA-AU15) in LR White-embedded tissues. Details of the surgical procedures, tissue collection, fixation and tissue processing have been reported. Nonspecific binding of WGA-Au15 to the sections was prevented by incubating the grids on drop of 10 mM Trizma buffer, pH=7.4, containing 0.1% Tween 20, and 500 mM NaCl, for 30 min. This buffer was used to dilute WGA-AU15. The grids were then incubated with WGA-AU15, for 60 min, followed by extensive washing. Inclusion of free WGA or 1 mM N-acetyl-glucosamine in the buffer abolished the labelling by WGA-AU15.