The lateral nasal gland of dog: its structure and secretory content.

Lateral nasal glands of 12-15 weeks old pups are immature. Gland acini of pups and mature dogs contain numerous electron-lucent vacuoles with basophilic, electron-dense cores. The vacuoles contain both acid and neutral glycoproteins, sialated glycoproteins being the dominant acidic moiety. Lateral and basal cytoplasmic extensions of the acinar cytoplasm greatly increase the cell surface are. Electron-dense granules, smaller and less numerous than the lucent vacuoles of acini, occur in intercalated duct cells. Secretions collected form the excretory duct of the lateral nasal gland from conscious dogs contain 235 mg protein/100 ml secretory fluid. Immunoglobulin A accounts for 14% of the secretory protein. Total sialic acid content is 0.024% of the secretion by weight.