©2005, European Journal of Histochemistry

The present study describes, for the first time, the glycosidic content of boar bulbourethral glands using lectin histochem-istry. Fourteen horseradish peroxidase- or digoxigenin-labelled lectins with different carbohydrate specificities were used in samples obtained from 3 healthy Landrace boars. The results obtained indicate that endpiece and duct cells synthesize and secrete mainly O-glycoproteins with α- and β-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, β-D-galactose-β(1→3)-D-N-acetylgalactosamine, D-N-acetylglucosamine and neu-raminic acid residues. Glycoproteins secreted by bul-bourethral glands have a role in the protection and lubrica-tion of the urethra. In addition, they may be also involved in the regulation of the sperm metabolic activity and in the maintenance of the structural integrity of acrosomal and plasma membranes