[Sugar residues of glycoconjugates in the olfactory epithelium of the human fetus: histochemical study using peroxidase-conjugated lectins].

The oligosaccharide content of glycoconjugates was studied at the olfactory epithelium of human fetuses ranging from 8 to 12 weeks of gestation by mean of peroxidase labelled lectins (DBA, PNA, WGA, SBA, ConA, LTA, UEA I). The main results demonstrated that: 1-The olfactory epithelium (olfactory cells, supporting cells and basal cells) was generally characterized by different amount of a-D-mannose, a-D-galactosamine, a-D-glucose, D-galactose-(beta 1-3)-N-acetyl-galactosamine, sialic acid and a-L-fucose. 2-At the 11th-12th week of gestation the largest amount of sugar residues was detected at the olfactory cells and at some basal cells. 3-At the 12th week of gestation, UEA I may be considered a specific marker of the olfactory cells in different stages of development.