Cellular carbohydrate components in human,rabbit and rat lacrimal gland

Orbital lacrimal glands from adult male and female rabbits, rats and humans were examined for the presence of intracellular receptors of four lectins: concanavalin-A agglutinin, lutus tetragonolobus agglutinin, ricinus comunis-60 agglutinin and wheat-germ agglutinin using fluorescein-conjugated lectin and peroxidase labelling methods for fluorescence and electron microscopy, respectively. Lectins were used as specific probes to detect carbohydrate moiety of the lacrimal gland. The pattern of labelling with the lectins suggests thatN-acetyl-glucosamine,N-acetyl-d-galactosamine,d-galactose,d-mannose, sialic acid andl-fucose are contained in the lacrimal gland of the three species. The significance of these findings is discussed.