Histogenesis and histochemistry of the secretion plate: detection of glycans and neutral glycoproteins synthetized by the epithelial components of the gizzard mucosa of Gallus gallus.

A study about the genesis of the inner lining which covers the mucous membrane of the chicken gizzard was made and histochemical test were employed to detect the presence of carbohydrate in the epithelial components of the mucous membrane. The histochemical treatment of the apical border of gizzard epithelium from the 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th d of incubation revealed the absence of glycoprotein (with 1.2-glycol containing hexoses), sialic acid, and glycogen but weakly acidic sulphated mucosubstances were present. The same was observed in the medium 1/3 of the gizzard epithelium on 12th and 15th d. The upper 1/3 of the buddings, precursor of gizzard glands, on the 15th d, besides exhibiting the same histochemical characteristics of apical border, revealed, clearly visible, strongly sulphated mucosubstances. The histochemical reactions of the epithelium which covers the free surface and lines the pits from the 18th d of incubation and from the young chicken (0.5 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 3 weeks and 8 weeks) revealed the absence of glycoprotein (with 1.2-glycol containing hexoses), sialic acid, and glycogen, however, weakly acidic sulphated mucosubstances and strongly sulphated epithelial acidic mucin were present. On the 18th d, the glands presented a lumen and the accumulation of intraepithelial secretion displaced the upper part of the superficial epithelium, splitting, it.