Carbohydrates in the epithelium lining the seminal vesicle of the rat as studied by histochemical methods of light and electron microscopy

Abstract

In the epithelium lining the seminal vesicle of the rat, carbohydrates have been studied by means of histochemical methods of light and electron microscopy. In light microscopy, the free surface and granules of different sizes in the distal cytoplasm of the epithelial cells and lumenal masses of secretions were shown to exhibit positive reactions for carbohydrates with 1,2-glycol and acidic groups and sialic acid residues. In electron microscopy, the surface coat of the plasma membrane, certain elements of the Golgi complexes, dense cores of secretory granules and glycogen particles in the epithelial cells were found to exhibit positive reactions for carbohydrates with 1,2-glycol groupings. The correlated structures and functions of the carbohydrate-containing components have been discussed in the light of the known physiology of the seminal vesicle in the rat.