Histochemical study of glycoconjugates in the epididymis of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The glycoconjugates of hamster epididymis were investigated with conventional and lectin histochemistry. A zone of the caput epididymis, with particular histochemical characteristics, has been differentiated. beta-Elimination in combination with lectins was used to establish the presence and distrib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Histochemical journal 1995-09, Vol.27 (9), p.670-680
Main Authors: Calvo, A, Pastor, L M, Horn, R, Pallares, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cricetinae
Epididymis - chemistry
Glycoconjugates - analysis
Histocytochemistry
Lectins - metabolism
Male
Mesocricetus
Neuraminidase
Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction
Sperm Head - chemistry
Sperm Tail - chemistry
Spermatozoa - chemistry
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Summary:The glycoconjugates of hamster epididymis were investigated with conventional and lectin histochemistry. A zone of the caput epididymis, with particular histochemical characteristics, has been differentiated. beta-Elimination in combination with lectins was used to establish the presence and distribution of N- and O-linked glycoconjugates. The epithelium, spermatozoa and the intertubular matrix were rich in glycoconjugates. The Golgi apparatus and stereocilia of the principal cells were intensely positive with HPA, PNA and SBA lectins. beta-Elimination indicated that these cells contained abundant O-linked glycoconjugates. Apical and clear cells presented a common lectin affinity; their reactivities towards WGA and UEA-I were very positive. These cells probably contain abundant N-glycoconjugates. The spermatozoa were stained by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and by all the lectins (especially in the acrosome), except by those with an affinity for alpha-L-fucosyl residues; the most intense reaction was found with HPA, WGA, PNA and SBA. Changes in the sperm lectin binding along the ductus were observed: sperm flagellum abruptly acquired WGA and PNA labelling from the posterior caput, and HPA reactivity was negative only in the zone between the caput and the corpus.
ISSN:0018-2214
1573-6865
DOI:10.1007/BF02388539