J Vet Sci.  2003 Apr;4(1):15-19.

Histochemical Characterization of the Lectin-binding Sites in the Equine Vomeronasal Organ

• Lee JY
• Kang TY
• Lee YD
• Shin TK

Abstract

The binding specificities of various lectins, such as the Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA), and the Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 (Isolectin B4), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I) lectins, were studied in the vomeronasal organ of the horse. The microvilli of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium were positive for DBA, SBA, Isolectin B4, WGA, PNA, and UEA-I. The receptor cells showed intense reactivity for DBA and WGA. Lectins were not detected in the supporting cells or basal cells. The Jacobson's glands were positive for WGA and UEA-I, but lectins were absent from the nerve bundles. From these results, we postulate that several lectin-binding carbohydrates on the microvilli and neurosensory cells are associated with chemoreception in the horse. In addition, the differential lectin-binding patterns in the horse suggest that the carbohydrates present in this particular sense organ are species-specific.

Keyword

lectin; horse; vomer onasalorgan

MeSH Terms

Animals
Binding Sites
Epithelium/metabolism
Horses/anatomy&histology/*metabolism
Immunohistochemistry/veterinary
Lectins/*metabolism
Male
Protein Binding
Vomeronasal Organ/*metabolism