Lectin Histochemistry of the Brunnerʹs Glands in Three Species of Monkeys (Tupaiidae glis, Nycticebus cocang and Callithrix jacchus)

The lectin histochemistry of the Burunnerʹs glands of the non human primate monkeys, common treeshrew (Tupaiidae glis), slow rolis (Nycticebus cocang) and common marmost (Callithrix jacchus), were investigated with a battary of nine different lectins as a probe and horseraddish peroxidase or fluorescen isothiocyanate as visulant. The Burunnerʹs glands showed great overall lectin affinity with all the lectins used. This indicates the existence of oligosaccharides with terminal galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, a-D-glucose, a-D-mannose, a-L-fucose and neuroaminic acid in the secretion of the Burunnerʹs glands. The biological role of each sugar at the surface of the lining epithelium was suggested on the base of the results of this study and discussion with the avilable litertues.