Ontogenic expression of histo-blood group antigens in the intestines of suckling pigs: lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis

The expression of intestinal histo-blood group AO and related antigens was investigated in piglets during an 8 week suckling period. Lectin histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were undertaken on sections of resin-embedded intestinal tissue and semi-quantitative scoring systems were adopted for categories of lectins and monoclonal antibodies reactive with carbohydrate moieties present in core, backbone and terminal oligosaccharide sequences of histo-blood group antigens. Distinct age-related changes were observed in the terminal glycosylation of both secretory and membrane glycoconjugates. Histo-blood group A antigen was identified in intestinal mucin 5 weeks after birth and the precursor H antigen was found in goblet cells at week 1. H antigen was undetectable on intestinal membranes during the first 3 weeks of suckling but a conspicuous and sustained level of this form of fucosylation was apparent during the latter half of the suckling period. More complex membrane glycosylation involving further fucosylation and/or the expression of A antigen, was evident in the latter part of the suckling period. These temporal changes in membrane and secretory glycosylation may be physiologically important during intestinal adaptation and development in young pigs.