The number and histochemical characteristics of goblet cells (GC) in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx of healthy rabbits and rabbits suffering septicemia and rhinitis caused by Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica were analyzed. Alcian blue and Periodic Acid Schiff histochemical technique were used. The results showed that the GC population remained constant in healthy rabbits during different stages of development, ranging from 50-57 ±25 GC/mm of the basal lamina. The GC number was determined in the maxilloturbinates (63 ±24GC/mm), nasal septum (53 ±18GC/mm) and nasopharynx (45 ±22GC/mm). Acid glycoproteins were predominant in all developmental stages, all anatomic regions and in sickanimals. Rabbits suffering septicemia had a highly significant increase (P