Y. Takai

Comparison of lectin binding patterns in salivary glands of mice and rats with special reference to different fixatives used

Lectin binding patterns in the salivary glands of mice and rats were compared among specimens treated with 9 kinds of fixatives and then individually subjected to 10 kinds of lectin staining. Formalin-fixed sections showed positive lectin binding with fine granular materials in the GCT cells, and alcohol- or acetone-fixed sections revealed vacuolated patterns of irregular lectin binding with insufficient morphologic detail. Bouins, Hellys, and Zambonis fixatives displayed an adequate distribution of lectin binding which corresponded to the histological aspects. Different lectins gave different characteristic binding patterns in SMGs of mice; i.e., PNA and SBA binding was positive in female GCT cells, but absent in the male. On the contrary these lectins gave positive binding in the male acinar cells but negative in the female. These contradictory results were obtained for PNA and SBA binding between the GCT cells and acinar compartments of the mouse SMGs. The GCT and acinar cells in the SMGs of mice and rats also gave contradictory results; i.e., mice GCT cells displayed positive Con A staining but negative PA/Con A staining, whereas mice acinar cells were stained weakly by the Con A and staining strongly by the PA/Con A methods. Rats GCT cells indicated negative Con A, and strong PA/Con A staining; whereas rats acinar cells gave a positive Con A and negative PA/Con A reaction.

Immunohistochemical localization of carbonic anhydrase in submandibular salivary glands of mice and hamsters treated with phenylephrine, testosterone or duct-ligation

Using the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, the submandibular glands (SMG) from normal mice showed positive carbonic anhydrase (CA) staining in both striated duct (SD) and granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells, which varied from moderate to strong. In normal hamsters, the GCT showed strong focal staining. Phenylephrine in mice and hamsters resulted in a decrease in CA in GCT cells; staining was much reduced in the GCT segments of the mouse. One hour after a phenylephrine injection into testosterone-treated mice, there was no change in the staining intensity of GCT cells but an increase in cell size. Only a slight decrease in immunostaining occurred in mouse and hamster SD cells. CA staining in duct-ligated glands of mice decreased within 3 days but regenerated duct-like structures at later stages showed moderate staining.