Histochemistry of glycoconjugates in the secretory epithelium of the goat bulbourethral gland.

To investigate the histochemical nature of the secretory epithelium lining the goat bulbourethral gland, glycoconjugates contained in these secretory epithelial cells have been studied by means of light- and electron-microscopic histochemistry. The methods employed involved a series of conventional staining and peroxidase-labeled lectin diaminobenzidine procedures together with combined selective methods such as digestion with enzymes. According to the results obtained in the present work, the secretory cells of the goat bulbourethral gland can be grouped into two types: cells with glycoconjugate-rich granules and those with less amounts of glycoconjugates. The gland is at least dual in the nature of its secretory activities.