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Detection of glycoconjugates in the ductus epididymis of the prepubertal and adult horse by lectin histochemistry
F. Parillo1, G. Stradaioli2, A. Verini Supplizi3 and M. Monaci2
Istituti di 1Anatomia degli Animali Domestici, 20stetricia e Ginecologia e
3Produzioni Animali, Facolta di Medicina Veterinaria, Universita degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Offprint requests to: Dr. F. Parillo, Istituto di Anatomia degli Animali
Domestici, Facolts di Medicina Veterinaria, via San Costanzo 4,06126
Perugia, Italy
Summary. This paper describes an approach for
studying the structure of glycoconjugates found in the
principal cells lining the epididymal duct in adult and
prepubertal horses, using ten different lectin horseradish
conjugates: Con-A, LCA, WGA, GSA-II, SBA, PNA,
RCA-I, DBA, UEA-I, and LTA. Saponification and
sialidase procedures, followed by lectin binding, were
employed to visualize the distribution and to reveal the
sequence of sialoglycoconjugates in ductus epididymis.
In the adult horse the results demonstrated variations in
the content and distribution of glycosidic residues of
glycoconjugates in different epididymal regions (caput,
corpus, cauda) and vas deferens, suggesting that each
epididymal segment has a specific function. In
particular, staining of the Golgi-zone in the principal
cells lining corpus epididymis was interpreted as
evidence for synthesis and secretion of glycoconjugates
and sialoglycoconjugates. In the prepubertal horse, only
the gl ycocalyx of the epithelial cells lining the
epididymal duct showed reactivity toward the different
lectins used, suggesting hormonal regulation of the
epididymis activity. Additionally, the heterogeneity of
the lectin staining pattern of the adult horse epididymis
reported in this investigation also suggests the existence
of di fferent functional segments along the epididymal
duct. Histol Histopathol 12, 691-700 (1997)
Key words: Horse, Ductus epididymis, Glycoconjugates,
Lectins
DOI: 10.14670/HH-12.691
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