Lectin binding patterns in the vomeronasal organ and accessory olfactory bulb of the rat.

A number of previous studies have indicated that lectin histochemistry is an obvious choice for characterizing the vomeronasal system. However, apparently inconsistent results have been obtained: notably, the affinity with which various lectins bind to the accessory olfactory bulb varies among taxa, even considering closely related species. In the present study, the binding patterns of seven lectins in the rat accessory olfactory bulb, vomeronasal nerves and vomeronasal duct were investigated. The Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin bound exclusively to the vomeronasal nerve and glomerular layers of the accessory olfactory bulb, while the Ulex europeus and Lycopersicon esculentum lectins bound to these regions and additionally to the nerve and glomerular layers of the main olfactory bulb. Soybean agglutinin showed a similar pattern to that obtained with the Ulex europeus and Lycopersicon esculentum lectins, though it also faintly labelled other parts of the structures examined. The Vicia villosa and Erythrina cristagalli lectins were not specific for the vomeronasal system, since they labelled grey and white matters in structures including the lateral olfactory tract and the anterior olfactory nuclei. The Dolichos biflorus lectin did not bind to vomeronasal tissues. The observed patterns of binding in the accessory olfactory bulb were consistent with those observed in the vomeronasal nerves, but unlike those observed in the epithelium of the vomeronasal duct. This latter result probably reflects binding of lectins to sugar residues contained in secreted mucus rather than those in epithelial nerve endings.