Lectin histochemical study of the prostate gland of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelial cells of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) prostate gland were investigated using lectin histochemistry. The monkey prostate possesses cranial and caudal lobes. Histochemical staining with a battery of 8 lectins demonstrated differences in lectin binding patterns of the secretory epithelial cells between the 2 lobes. BS-1 bound exclusively to the cranial lobe, and PNA bound exclusively to the caudal lobe. DBA bound exclusively to a number of the secretory epithelial cells of the caudal lobe. In addition, both lobes showed binding with Con-A, RCA-1, WGA and S-WGA, but were negative for binding with SBA. Specific lectin binding patterns suggest a differing carbohydrate composition for each region, and a biological difference between the cranial and caudal lobes of the rhesus monkey prostate.