The cytochemistry of glycoconjugates in the planum nasolabial gland of the goat as studied by electron microscopic methods

Abstract

In the planum nasolabial glands of the goat, glycoconjugates of glandular and duct cells have been studied by means of a series of electron microscopic cytochemical methods. In the glandular cells glycoconjugates with vicinal diol groupings were present in secretory granules, certain elements of the Golgi complex, lysosome-like dense bodies, the surface coat of the plasma membrane, the majority of intracellular cytomembranes, glycogen particles and the basal lamina. In duct cells, glycoconjugates with the same properties were localized in similar ultrastructures, except for secretory granules, which were not detected in these cells. By lectin cytochemistry, glycoconjugates in glandular cell secretory granules contained a variety of saccharide residues such as alpha-D-mannose, alpha-D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and alpha-L-fucose. The cytochemical properties of the secretory glycoconjugates are discussed in relation to the physiological functions performed by the planum nasolabial glands in the goat.