Study of glycoconjugates terminal sugars during gonadogenesis in rat by lectin histochemical method

Gonadogenesis is a complex developmental process which is regulated by molecular interactions such as cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) Glycoconjugates terminal sugars. The aim of this study was to determine Glycoconjugates terminal sugars expressions and changes during Gonadogenesis in Rat using Lectin histochemical technique. To determine of glycoconjugate terminal sugers by Lectin histochemistry method, thirty Wistar Rat embryos at different stages from days 12 to 16 of gestation were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin and cut in to 5µm thickness sections serially. The sections were incubated with different HRP- lectins from Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA), Maclura pomifera(MPA) and Arachis hypogaea or Peanut (PNA), that are specific for terminal sugars L-Fuc (α2-4)GlcNAc, Gal(β1-3)GalNAc and D-Gal(β1-3)DGalNAc respectively. On the basis of colorimetery data that was determined by blind’s method, sections were graded and SPSS statistic soft ware and kruscal Wallis tests were used for comparing different embryonic stages. Our finding showed that LTA did not react with developing gonads at gestational day 12(E12). LTA reactivity was found in extracellular matrix (ECM) of developing gonads from E14 through E16 (P<0.05) and PGCS as well as surface epithelium at E16 (P<0.05). Surface epithelium were reacted with MPA from E12 to E14 and increased LTA reactivity at E16 (P<0.05). ECM was reacted with MPA at E14 and diminished at E16 (P<0.05). LTA reactivity was found in PGCS at E16. PNA did not react with developing gonads at gestational day 12(E12) but its reaction was started with PGCS from E14 and increased to E16 (P<0.05). In addition, PNA reactivity was started with ECM and surface epithelium from E14 and increased at E16 significantly (P<0.05). According to our result, it is concluded that the expression and changes of glycoconjugates with terminal sugars L -Fuc (α2-4) GlcNAC, and D-Gal (β1-3) DGalNAC are regulated developmentally during rat gonadogenesis.