Use of mild periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate staining for ultrahistochemical demonstration of glycoconjugates in the human uterine epithelium. 1993

J Martínek, and V Cerný
Institute of Histology and Embryology, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Praha, Czechoslovakia.

The human uterine epithelium has been studied by means of mild (0.1, 0.01% respectively) periodic acid (PA) oxidation followed by thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate staining. Distribution of silver deposits provided evidence for glycoconjugates and was in the case of oxidation with 0.01% PA selective for sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) complexes. The electron dense silver particles were detectable at the outer side of apical plasma membranes and on the inner surface of lysosomal membranes. Also the marginal zone of lipid droplets reacted regularly. Since the lower concentration of PA proves sialogycoconjugates selectively, the positive staining depicted not only those in the membrane compartments but also as a layer between the hydrophobic content and the hydrophilic cytoplasm. In the granular endoplasmic reticulum of the individual microvillous cells a special glycoprotein of paracrystalline organisation was detected. The functional significance of this substance remains unclear. Nuclear channel systems (NCS) are frequently observed in the epithelial cells in the uterine glands. Similar staining properties of the NCS and nuclear envelope support the hypothesis of its nuclear origin.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D010084 Oxidation-Reduction A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471). Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D010504 Periodic Acid A strong oxidizing agent. Paraperiodic Acid,Periodic Acid (HIO4),Periodic Acids,Acid, Paraperiodic,Acid, Periodic,Acids, Periodic
D004717 Endometrium The mucous membrane lining of the uterine cavity that is hormonally responsive during the MENSTRUAL CYCLE and PREGNANCY. The endometrium undergoes cyclic changes that characterize MENSTRUATION. After successful FERTILIZATION, it serves to sustain the developing embryo. Endometria
D004848 Epithelium The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body. Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D005260 Female Females
D006001 Glycoconjugates Carbohydrates covalently linked to a nonsugar moiety (lipids or proteins). The major glycoconjugates are glycoproteins, glycopeptides, peptidoglycans, glycolipids, and lipopolysaccharides. (From Biochemical Nomenclature and Related Documents, 2d ed; From Principles of Biochemistry, 2d ed) Glycoconjugate
D006003 Glycogen
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014599 Uterus The hollow thick-walled muscular organ in the female PELVIS. It consists of the fundus which is the site of EMBRYO IMPLANTATION and FETAL DEVELOPMENT. Beyond the isthmus at the perineal end of fundus, is CERVIX UTERI (the neck) opening into VAGINA. Beyond the isthmi at the upper abdominal end of fundus, are the FALLOPIAN TUBES. Fundus Uteri,Uteri,Uterine Cornua,Uterine Fundus,Uterus Cornua,Womb,Cornua, Uterine,Fundus Uterus,Fundus, Uterine,Uteri, Fundus,Wombs

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