A histochemical study of the mucus secretions of the rabbit colon.

The histochemical detection methods for mucosubstances when applied to the colon of the Rabbit show the following features:--A mixed secretion of neutral and acid (sulphated and carboxylated) polysaccharides by the same gland of Lieberkühn.--The absence of any histochemically detectable hyaluronic or sialic acids.--A marked variation in the mucosubstances depending upon the region of the colon.--A polyglycane acidic gradient in each gland. These results could be linked with the adaptative power of the mucosubstances under the action of the surrounding environment.