Differences in lectin-binding properties between the common mucosal epithelium and follicle-associated epithelium in the rabbit small intestine

Sugar expressions on the vaginal epithelium in pregnant mice

Sugar expressions were examined on the epithelium of both the middle portion of the vagina and the vaginal portion of the cervical canal (CC) in pregnant mice to understand the pathogenesis of bacterial infection in the female reproductive organ by using a panel of lectins. As a result, N-acetylglucosamine was positive before pregnant day (P) 7 but negative after P10 and at diestrus on both the vagina and the CC. In addition, some differences in sugar expressions were seen between them. These results suggest that sugar expressions on the mucosal surface would change not only site-specifically but also time-dependently, and these sugar differences indicate the possibility of the alteration of the settled bacterial species on the vaginal mucosa in pregnancy.

Lectin histochemistry for sugars on the mucosal surface of the uterus in pregnant mice

Expression patterns of sugars on the mucosal surface of the uterus in pregnant mice were investigated by using 21 kinds of lectins. In the uterine mucosa, the GlcNAc group tended to express a positive reaction before pregnant day 10, but the glucose/mannose group generally expressed a positive reaction after pregnant day 10. On the other hand, the fucose group expressed a negative reaction during all periods in pregnancy. These findings were almost the same on both the mesometrial side and anti-mesometrial side of the uterus. These differences of sugar expression probably reflect the functional change of the mucosa during pregnancy and the alteration of sugar expression may give a chance for pathogens to infect in the uterus with limited periods.