title: Lectin histochemistry of the boar bulbourethral glands.
abstract: The present study describes, for the first time, the glycosidic content of boar bulbourethral glands using lectin histochemistry. Fourteen horseradish peroxidase- or digoxigenin-labelled lectins with different carbohydrate specificities were used in samples obtained from 3 healthy Landrace boars. The results obtained indicate that endpiece and duct cells synthesize and secrete mainly O-glycoproteins with alpha- and beta-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, beta-D-galactose-beta(1-->3)-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, D-N-acetylglucosamine and neuraminic acid residues. Glycoproteins secreted by bulbourethral glands have a role in the protection and lubrication of the urethra. In addition, they may be also involved in the regulation of the sperm metabolic activity and in the maintenance of the structural integrity of acrosomal and plasma membranes.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology of Porcine Reproduction, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, Girona, Spain. elena.badia@gmail.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Badia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Briz
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pastor
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garcia-Gil
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bassols
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kádár
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pruneda
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bussalleu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yeste
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002030:Bulbourethral Glands / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins