Lectin characterization of the gastrointestinal tract of three Nigerian passerine birds

Yetunde Olufunmilayo Ogunkoya *

Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge LA 70813 USA.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2020, 07(02), 320-330
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2020.7.2.0313
 
Publication history: 
Received on 19 August 2020; revised on 29 August 2020; accepted on 30 August 2020
 
Abstract: 
The avian gastrointestinal tract was characterized using lectin cytochemistry Concanavalia agglutinin (Con A) and Arachis hypogea agglutinin, Peanut agglutinin (PNA). The apical cell boundaries of surface epithelial cells of both the proventriculus and ventriculus, the duct and glandular neck cells of the proventriculus, the intestinal brush borders, the surface epithelial cells of the sheep abomasum and the chief cells of the sheep abomasum were stained by Con A and PNA. The intracytoplasmic granules of the duct and glandular neck cells of the proventriculus, those of the chief or principal cells of the ventriculus, those of the goblet cells of the ileum, colon and cloaca and those of the chief and surface epithelial cells of the sheep abomasum were stained by PNA. Gastro-intestinal endocrine cells and the parietal cells of both the avian gut and the sheep abomasum were not stained by either lectins. The cytochemical results indicated that those cells stained by the two lectins have both a-D- mannose or a-D-glucose and b-galactose- (1,3)-N-acetyl-galactosamine residues in their membranes. Those stained by either of the two lectins had either of the two sugars as components of their cell membrane and their granules. Goblet cells were heterologous. The duct and glandular neck cells of the proventriculus, the chief cells of the ventriculus, the goblet cells of the ileum, colon, cloaca, and the chief and surface epithelial cells of the sheep abomasum had similar intracytoplasmic granules. 
 
Keywords: 
Lectin; Cytochemistry; Gastrointestinal tract; Passerine; Bird
 
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