Cytochemical localization of carbohydrates in intercalated duct and acinar cells of mouse parotid gland.

The glycoconjugate composition of mouse intercalated duct and acinar cells of parotid gland has been compared. Mucins containing 1,2-glycols were demonstrated by the tannic acid-uranyl acetate technique. Hexose residues of glycoconjugates were identified using ferritin conjugated with Canavalia ensiformis agglutinin (Con A), Triticum vulgare or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ricinus communis I agglutinin (RCA-I), Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin (PHA-E) and Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA). Whereas qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in sugar residues of secretory granules in intercalated duct and acinar cells, apical plasmalemmae were labelled sparsely and similarly. This indicates that the glycocalyx composition of apical plasmalemmae in the parotid acinar and intercalated duct cells is little influenced by secretory granule composition.