The distribution of bovine carbonic anhydrase isozyme VI (CA-VI), purified from bovine saliva, was studied immunohistochemically using antiserum against bovine CA-VI in bovine parotid glands during fetal and postnatal development. A weak expression of CA-VI in undifferentiated epithelial cells and ductal cells was observed in a 4- to 5-month-old fetus with a 26-cm crown-rump length. The reaction in both acinar and ductal cells subsequently persisted during late gestation and birth. Although anti-CA-VI reactivity was still seen in both regions immediately following birth, the reactivity had almost completely disappeared from most duct segments by 1 month following birth. Changes in the localization and time-dependent expression of the isozyme in parotid glands may reflect changes in the biological function of structurally closely related isozymes.
Two cytosolic carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA-II and CA-III) were studied by immunohistochemistry in bovine parotid glands during fetal development. In a 3-month-old fetus of crown-rump length (CRL) 17 cm, the expression of CA-II in undifferentiated epithelial cells was observed, whereas immunostaining for CA-III remained negative. At 26 cm CRL (4-5 months old), weak expression of CA-III in large ductal epithelial cells was noted. The accumulation of secreted granules in primary acinar cells was initially observed at this stage. In a newborn calf, anti-CA-II reactivity almost disappeared from most duct segments. The time-dependent expression and distribution of the isozymes in parotid glands may reflect different biological functions of these structurally closely related isozymes. Bovine parotid acinar cells of fetuses would thus appear to possess all the cellular structures and immunohistochemical properties at 4 and 5 months of gestation. CA-II subsequently disappeared from duct segments and nearly all acinar cells in adults were present at or just after birth.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.