Glycoconjugate histochemistry of the subcommissural organ in the domestic chicken: lectin histochemistry using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method.

The properties and distribution of the secretory substance in the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ in the domestic chicken were examined with seven different lectins, using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. On the ventricular surface of this organ, LFA, PNA, RCA-I and WGA reacted positively. In the apical cytoplasm, Con A, LFA, RCA-I and WGA gave positive reactions. On the other hand, only Con A and WGA gave positive reactions in the basal cytoplasm. In the hypendymal vascular wall, LFA, RCA-I and WGA reacted positively. Neuraminidase digestion completely inhibited reactions with LFA and reduced the WGA reaction within the apical cytoplasm. At the same time, this digestion disclosed a moderately positive reaction with PNA in the apical cytoplasm. The significant findings of this study may be summarized as follows: 1) the ependymal cells of the subcommissural organ in the domestic chicken synthesize a complex oligosaccharide for a secretory product which is discharged into the ventricular cavity; 2) in the basal cytoplasm and basal processes, only oligosaccharides containing large amount of mannose are present.