Mucopolysaccharide heterogeneity of the reptilian kidney basement membranes.

The kidney basement membranes of fifteen different reptiles from marine, terrestrial, desert, amphibious and fresh-water habitats have been analysed for their mucopolysaccharide contents histochemically, employing well-known and recent techniques. Capsular and tubular basement membranes possess only neutral mucopolysaccharides; on the other hand glomerular basement membrane possesses both neutral and acidic (sialic acid) mucopolysaccharides. The concentration of different mucopolysaccharides seems to be dependent on the type of habitat. Their possible physiological significance in the kidney function is discussed in great details.