Distribution of saccharide residues in glycoconjugates of the kidney in Gallus domesticus using peroxidase-conjugated lectins

A battery of seven different horseradish-peroxidase labelled lectins (DBA, PNA, SBA, UEA I, WGA, ConA, LTA) was used to study the distribution of sugar residues in the glycoconjugates along the nephron and the collecting duct of the kidney of Gallus domesticus. As far as the glomerular components are concerned, we have demonstrated that the podocytes and, with a lesser extent, the mesangial cells are characterised by the presence of D-mannose, D-galactose-(beta 1- greater than 3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and sialic acid. The glomerular capillary wall shows the presence of the disaccharide D-galactose-(beta 1- greater than 3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and sialic acid. With regards to the tubules, the proximal tubule, the descending limb of the loop of Henle, the connecting tubule and the collecting one, are characterised by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, (1- greater than 6)-alpha-L-fucose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-galactose-(beta 1- greater than 3)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The cells of the connecting and collecting ducts show the presence of intracellular sialic acid, found also as component of the mucous secretion. The ascending limb of the loop of Henle and the distal tubule contain only three saccharidic residues, i.e. (1- greater than 6)-alpha-L-fucose, D-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Lectin histochemistry was also useful to define the saccharidic components of the mucus, which is normally present within the connecting and collecting ducts of the kidney of the birds. The cellular variability of the connecting and the collecting ducts is similar to that found in the kidney of some mammals. Such a variability seems to suggest a possible cell specialization along a single kidney tubule.