Differential binding sites of peroxidase-labelled lectins in the submandibular gland of sucking and adult cats.

The glycosidic residues in the submandibular gland of cat at different ages were studied using a battery of 6 lectins conjugated with horseradish peroxidase as histochemical reagents. The submandibular glands of sucking and adult cats showed diversities in the reaction intensity or in the localization of binding sites. The morphologically distinct secretory tracts appear to produce different types of oligosaccharides in sucking and adult subjects. The sugars that can be defined as growth markers in the cat submandibular gland seem to be alpha-L-fucose, N-acetyl-D-glycosamine and beta-galactose. The data originated from this research have been compared with biochemical data previously obtained by the authors on the cat submandibular gland during growth.