Lectin binding sites on human endocervix: a comparison with secretory and proliferative endometrium.

Endocervix and corresponding endometrium of women of reproductive age were studied histochemically with 13 fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectins to delineate the differences between the epithelial cells in two anatomical sites. Lectin from Maclura pomifera (MPA), Ulex europaeus (UEA-I), Glycine max (SBA), and Vicia villosa (VVA) bound only to endocervical epithelium and were the only four lectins that distinguished endocervical from endometrial epithelium. These differences were independent of menstrual cyclic changes and blood group antigen secretion. These data show that lectins can be used to histochemically distinguish endocervical from endometrial glands.