title: Histochemical localization of complex carbohydrates in the nasolabial glands of the Japanese deer (Cervus nippon yakushimae).
abstract: The localization of complex glycoconjugates in the nasolabial glands of the Japanese deer (C. nippon yakushimae) was studied using various histochemical methods, including lectin histochemistry, viewed using both light and electron microscopy. The secretory epithelium and luminal secretion of the deer nasolabial glands exhibited neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with different saccharide residues (alpha-D-mannose, alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, beta-D-galactose, beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and sialic acid). Additionally, O-acetylated sialic acids were detectable in the glandular acini. The results obtained are discussed with regard to the specific functions of the glandular secretion, which may particularly improve water retention on the skin surface and protect against physical damage as well as microbial contamination. Furthermore, our results support the view of a salivary nature of this gland type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-8510, Japan. tsukise@brs.nihon-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasui
authors.forename: Azuma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsukise
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukui
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuwahara
authors.forename: Wilfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D022083:Cytoplasmic Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003670:Deer; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D037102:Lectins; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009666:Nose; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006001:Glycoconjugates; D037102:Lectins