Cytochemical localization of specific carbohydrates in the cochlea using wheat germ agglutinin-gold.

Localization of specific carbohydrates in the cochlea was examined by postembedding labelling by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-gold at the electron microscopic level. Gold labelling was observed in the tectorial membrane, basilar membrane, basal membrane of the capillary and other connective tissues. In these areas, the labelling was observed over either fibrous structures or the ground substance. WGA is known to bind specifically with N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and its beta-(1-4)-linked oligosaccharides. The labelled sites, therefore, are considered to indicate the presence of glycoconjugates that contain these carbohydrates as their constituent.