Histochemical characterization and distribution of mucosubstances and enzyme activity in the lingual salivary glands of the one-humped came) (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

The lingual salivary glands of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) have been histologically and histochemically investigated to characterize their structure and distribution, chemical composition and enzyme activities. Both von Ebner’s and Weber’s glands were detected in the tongue of the carnet, but Nünh’s apical glands were absent. Von Ebner’s glands proved to be seromucous with tubuloacinar endpieces that secrete neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins but little sulfomucins and Weber’s glands are mucoserous and of tubular type. They secrete neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins and hyaluronidase resistant sulfomucins. Both glands showed variable enzyme activity· for acid and alkaline phosphatases, adenosine triphosphatase, non-specific esterases, carbonic anhydrase and succinic dehydrogenase. No activities for β-glucuronidase, lipase, cholinesterases and aminopeptidase were detected and only a weak amylolytic activity for α-amylase was seen in von Ebner’s glands.