Evaluation of lysozyme and lactoferrin in lacrimal and other ocular glands of bison and cattle and in tears of bison.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate lactoferrin and lysozyme content in various ocular glands of bison and cattle and in tears of bison.


METHODS
Tissues of ocular glands obtained from 15 bison and 15 cattle and tears collected from 38 bison.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect lysozyme and lactoferrin in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of the ocular glands. Protein gel electrophoresis was used to analyze ocular glands and pooled bison tears by use of a tris-glycine gel and SDS-PAGE. Western blotting was used to detect lactoferrin and lysozyme.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining for lactoferrin was evident in the lacrimal gland and gland of the third eyelid in cattle and bison and the deep gland of the third eyelid (Harder's gland) in cattle. Equivocal staining for lactoferrin was seen for the Harder's gland in bison. An 80-kd band (lactoferrin) was detected via electrophoresis and western blots in the lacrimal gland and gland of the third eyelid in cattle and bison, Harder's glands of cattle, and bison tears. An inconsistent band was seen in Harder's glands of bison. Lysozyme was not detected in the lacrimal gland of cattle or bison with the use of immunohistochemical analysis or western blots. Western blots of bison tears did not reveal lysozyme.


CONCLUSIONS
Distribution of lactoferrin and a lack of lysozyme are similar in the lacrimal gland of cattle and bison. Differences in other tear components may be responsible for variability in the susceptibility to infectious corneal diseases that exists between bison and cattle.
Pinard
Chantale L
CL
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
Weiss
Mark L
ML
Brightman
Alan H
AH
Fenwick
Bradley W
BW
Davidson
Harriet J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D016164:Bison / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013666:Tears / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism
D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin