Lectin Histochemistry for Studying Glycoconjugates in Rat Lingual Salivary Glands during the Postnatal Development

Youn, Jung Mee; Jo, Gi Jin; Jo, Un Bok

Abstract

The developmental changes of the lingual salivary glands in the postnatal rats were examined by lectin histochemical methods. For the morphological changes, H-E and PAS staining were used. The biotinylated lectins used in the study were DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, sWGA, RCA-1, UEA-1, Con A and LCA. The promordia and undifferentiated acini of the lingual glands were found in the mucous glands at 0 day suckling rat and the von Ebner's glands at 3 day suckling rat, respectively. The differentiation and maturation of the lingual glands were faster than those of the von Ebner's gland. The differentiation and proliferation of both glands were occurred remarkably at suckling periods rather than weaning periods. The lectin binding pattern of glandular promordia and undifferentiated serous acini in von Ebner's gland was weak in BSL-1 and weak to moderate in RCA-1. DBA and sWGA showed tendency to increase in 1 week suckling rat, but The binding reactivity of other lectins was disappeared except BSL-1 that was reacted tracely in 2 and 3 weak suckling and 4 week weaning rat. RCA-1, PNA, sWGA, BSL-1 and SBA of the differentiated serous acini were appeared in the 2 week suckling rat and SBA and sWGA was more intense. Especially, the reactivity of these lectins of suckling periods was showed more tendency to increase than that of weaning periods. The increase of PNA, SBA and BSL-1 was prominent during suckling and weaning periods. RCA-1 and sWGA were decreased in 5 week rat, increased in 6 week rat, and then decreased in adult rat. UEA-1 which was not shown from 0 day to 2 week was showed trace to moderate reactivity in some serous acini. Con A and PNA of glandular promordia and undifferentiated mucous acini were appeared trace or weak, and absent at 0 day suckling rat, but PNA reactivity was showed tendency to incerase at 3 day suckling rat. Other lectins of these promordia and acini were not showed reactivity. In the differentiated mucous acini at 0 day suckling rat, all mucous acini were weak to moderate with DBA, and some of mucous acini also were weak to moderate with BSL-1. Most mucous acini showed weak reactivity with SBA, but some mucous acini showed trace or weak reactivity with RCA, PNA, sWGA and BSL-1. The reactivity of BSL-1 and sWGA was increased from birth to 2 week and then decreased, and absent at 5 week. But it increased at 6 week. RCA-1 and PNA also increased in the acini up to 1 week. However, PNA reactivity was absent at 5 and 6 week. With RCA-1, the intensity of reactivity was increased. Differentiated mucous acini was reacted to increase with SBA from birth, the intensity was strong in weaning periods rather than suckling period. UEA-1 reactivity was showed to decrease from 1 week to 2 week and moderately increased from 3 week to 5 week, and thereafter decreased. DBA binding pattern was somewhat changed throughout the observation periods but it was predominent.