Carbohydrates of the guinea pig vestibular supporting cells.

Ultrastructural localization of glycoconjugates with special reference to the synthesizing process was studied in the guinea pig vestibular supporting cells using the tannic acid and ruthenium red staining technique. The extracellular glycoconjugate (glycocalyx) was well stained by the ruthenium red which may be synthesized by GERL complex. The supporting cell has a numerous number of granules which also contain tannic acid positive glycoconjugate. These granules were closely related to the Golgi complex as well as the apical cell surface. It may be indicated that the glycoconjugate of the supporting cells is glycosylated at the Golgi complex, stored in the granules, transported, secreted, and form otoconial membrane and the cupula.