Evaluation of Sugar Residues in Zona Pellucida During Ovarian Cycle

Abstract

Glycoconjugates, particulary their sugar side chains, play important roles in development. This investigation was undertaken to examine the chemical nature of components in the zona pellucida possibly related to follicular development. In this study, lectins conjugated to horseradish peroxidase were used as specific histochemical probes to characterize the structure of zona pellucida glycoconjugates and changes in their composition during ovarian cycle. Three of five lectins for N-acetylation of galactose and glucose amine intensely stained the zona pellucida. These observations suggest that the N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-containing glycoconjugates in zona pellucida may be of functional important in follicular development. We can use this data for causing female infertility and to make special contraceptive.

Keywords

• glycoconjugate
• lectin
• ovary