title: On the fine structure and complex carbohydrate cytochemistry of the rabbit parotid gland.
abstract: The parotid gland of the rabbit, a lagomorph species, was studied by ultrastructural techniques and carbohydrate ultracytochemical stainings. The rabbit parotid gland is a peculiar mixed gland consisting of serous and mucous secretory cells due to their histochemical properties supported by biochemical findings. Acinar cells exhibit heterogeneous features of secretory granules with different electrondensity and occasional presence of subunits. Intercalated duct cells show nuclei with deep indentation and apical granules partly similar to acinar secretory products. Striated ducts are characterized by three different cell populations, namely "light cells" with small secretory granules, "dark cells" rich of scattered mitochondria and typical striated cells. The presence of differentiated cell types within striated duct segments lends credence to the idea that, in addition to the role in electrolyte transport, some ductal cells may be involved in secretion and/or absorption of glycosylated products.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biologia molecolare, cellulare e animale, Università di Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menghi
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bondi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fumagalli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005404:Fixatives; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005404:Fixatives; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D013431:Sulfates