[Lectin-binding patterns of vomeronasal respiratory epithelium in the rat].

Lectin-binding patterns of vomeronasal respiratory epithelium (VRE) in rats were histochemically examined with 21 biotinylated-lectins. The VRE consists of ciliated and basal cells. The majority of ciliated cells had light cytoplasm, and the others were dark cells seemingly degenerating. On the free surface of the VRE, 16 lectins showed moderate to intense staining. Eight and 10 lectins showed moderate to intense staining in the cytoplasm of light and dark cells, respectively. Five out of them showed the staining only in the degenerating dark cells. On the other hand, Jacalin showed the various grades of staining in the light cells. In the basal cells, 5 lectins showed moderate staining. These lectins also showed moderate to intense staining in the light cells. In summary, the kinds of glycoconjugates on the free surface were the most numerous in number in the VRE, and the lectin-staining underwent some changes with the functional state or degree of maturation in the ciliated cells.