Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-hfldf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-08T04:05:40.562Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Carbohydrate content of the endolymphatic sac. A histochemical and lectin-labelling study in the mongolian gerbil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. Barbara*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University ‘La Sapienza’, Rome, Italy Department of Otolaryngology, Karolinska Hospital and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
*
M. Barbara, Department Otolaryngology, University ‘La Sapienza’, 00185 Rome, Italy

Abstract

A secretory activity has recently been attributed to the endolymphatic sac (ES), as a possible way to contribute to the fluid balance of the entire endolymphatic compartment. Previous histochemical studies have indicated the existence of carbohydrate complexes in the secretory product, both neutral and acidic in nature.

A thorough analysis of these compounds in the gerbilline ES was carried out using both transmission electron microscopic (TEM) histochemistry, using dialyzed iron and periodic acid—chromic—silver staining techniques, as well as immunoflourescence with fluorescein-labelled lectins (FITC-lectins).

N-acetylglucosamine was found to be one of the major carbodhydrate components both of the epithelial layer of the ES and of the luminal precipitate. Proofs for a local secretory activity and its intracellular pathway are presented, suggesting to be involved in the regulation of pressure and volume of inner ear fluids.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arenberg, I. K., Murray, J. P., Rauchbach, E. and Schenk, N. (1976). An experimental model for the study of endolymphatic hydrops in sharks: implications for clinicians. Laryngoscope. 86: 14261434.Google Scholar
Barbara, M., Rask-Andersen, H. and Bagger-Sjoback, D. (1988). Morphology of the endolymphatic duct and sac in the mongolian gerbil. Acta Otolaryngologica 105: 3138.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carnegie, J. A., McCully, M. E. and Robertson, H. A. (1980). Embedment in glycol methacrylate at low temperature allows immunofluorescent localization of liable tissue protien. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 28: 308310.Google Scholar
Erwall, K., Friberg, U., Bagger-Sjoback, D. and Rask-Andersen, H. (1988). Degradation of the homogeneous substance in the endolymphatic sac. Acta Otolaryngologica 105: 209217.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friberg, U., Wackym, P. A., Bagger-Sjoback, D. and Rask-Andersen, H. (1986). Effect of labyrinthectomy on the endolymphatic sac. A histological, ultrastructural and computeraided morphometric investigation in the mouse. Acta Otolaryngologica 101: 172182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gil-Loyzaga, P., Gabrion, P. and Uziel, A. (1985). Lectins demonstrate the presence of carbohydrates in the tectorial membrane of mammalian cochlea. Hearing Research 20: 18.Google Scholar
Gil-Loyzaga, P., Raymond, J. and Gabrion, J. (1985). Carbohydrates detected by lectins in the vestibular organ. Hearing Research. 18: 269272.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Manni, J. J., Kuijpers, W. and Wichen, P. Van (1986) Experimental endolymphatic hydrops in the rat. Archives of Otolaryngology. 112: 423427.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Manni, J. J. and Kuijpers, W. (1987). Longitudinal flow of macromolecules in the endolymphatic space of the rat. An auto-radiographic study. Hearing Research. 26: 229237.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rambourg, A., Hernandez, W. and Leblond, C. P. (1969). Detection of complex carbohydrate cytochemistry by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy. 4: 18271834.Google Scholar
Rask-Andersen, H., Erwall, K., Steel, K. P. and Friberg, U. (1986). The endolymphatic sac in the mouse mutant with cochleosaccular degeneration. Electrophysiological and ultrastructural correlations. Hearing Research. 26: 177190.Google Scholar
Silverstein, H. (1966). Biochemical and physiologic studies of the endolymphatic sac in the cat. Laryngoscope. 76: 498511.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spicer, S. S., Schultze, B. A. and Schelburne, J. D. (1983) Carbohydrate cytochemistry by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy. 4: 18271834.Google Scholar
Tachibana, M., Morioka, H., Machino, M., Tanimura, F. and Mizukoshi, O. (1987). Cupologenesis and glycoconjugates in the labyrinthine ampulla as revealed by WGA-gold labelling. Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 244: 112116.Google Scholar
Takumida, M., Bagger-Sjoback, D. and Rask-Andersen, H. (1988) Cytochemical identification of secreted complex carbohydrates in the endolymphatic sac. Acta Otolaryngologica 105: 3138.Google Scholar
Teichmann, I., Vigh, B. and Aros, B. (1964). Histochemical studies on Gomori-positive substance in the endolymphatic sac of the rat. Acta Biologica Hungarica. 14: 293300.Google Scholar
Vigh, B., Aros, B., Wemger, T., Tork, I. and Zarand, P. (1963). Ependymosecretion (Ependimal neurosecretion) II. Gomoripositive material in the choroid plexus and in the membranous labyrinth in different vertebrates. Acta Biologica Hungarica. 13: 347360.Google Scholar
Wetzel, M. G., Wetzel, B. K. and Spicer, S. S. (1966). Ultrastructural localization of acidic mucosubstances in the mouse colon with iron-containing stains. Journal of Cell Biology. 30: 299315.CrossRefGoogle Scholar