Histochemical detection of glycoproteins in the intestinal epithelium of Columba livia.

A histochemical investigation was carried out to detect glycoproteins in the epithelium of the small and large intestine, ceca and cloaca (coprodeum) of Columba livia. The results showed that the goblet cells of both crypts and villi of the various segments studied presented neutral and acid glycoproteins. Acid glycoproteins include sulphoglycoproteins and sialoglycoproteins with predominance of the sulphated components, particularly in the large intestine, ceca and coprodeum. In the striated border neutral glycoproteins were the predominant components in an inner wide band and the acid in a superficial pellicle.