Carbohydrate cytochemistry on hypodermic lymphatic endothelium of the green lizard, Lacerta hispanica.

A cytochemical study on the endothelium of the hypodermic lymphatic capillaries of the green lizard, Lacerta hispanica, has been carried out. The dialysed iron method produced a homogeneous precipitate on the surface of the endothelial cells and on the inside of the endocytic vesicles. The periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate, low pH phosphotungstic acid and high iron diamine techniques gave negative results. The carbohydrates in the capillaries thus seem to be glycosaminoglycans with carboxyl groups. The possible role of these glycosaminoglycans in the formation of the endocytic vesicles is discussed.