Basic and lectin histochemistry for studying glycoconjugates in the lingual salivary glands of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Traditional non-lectin staining methods and lectin histochemistry combined with specific exoglycosidase digestion were used to investigate the histological structure of these glands and to visualize the occurrence and composition of salivary glycoconjugates. The quail lingual glands comprise the anterior lingual gland, with rostral and caudal portions that differ in morphology and histochemical staining, and the posterior lingual gland devoid of regional differences. Carbohydrate histochemistry further differentiated the secretory structures by revealing a heterogeneous cell population of tubules within the rostral and caudal portions of the anterior gland, and a rather homogeneous staining of the tubuloalveolar elements in the rostral portion of the anterior lingual gland and in the posterior gland. Tubuloalveolar secretory cells mainly produced sulphate-containing molecules. In addition, sialoglycoconjugates were present in both anterior and posterior lingual glands, whereas fucoglycoconjugates were visualized only in the anterior gland.