[Use of semithin sections for the histochemical study of carbohydrate-containing biopolymers in cells and tissues with the aid of lectins].

A sensitive method of histochemical analysis of cellular and tissue glycoconjugates on semithin sections using lectins is suggested. For fixation tissue bioptates were incubated for 4 h in a 2.5% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4 degrees C, then washed for 1 h in 0.2 M glycine in PBS. After epon-araldite embedment and preparation of semithin sections, the resin was removed in saturated ethanol-KOH solution during 5-10 s. Endogenous perooxidase was inactivated in methanol containing 0.3% H2O2. For identification of lectin-binding sites semithin sections were incubated for 30 min in a 0.005% solution of lectin-peroxidase conjugate in PBS and visualized by 0.05% diaminobezidine solution in PBS, containing 0.015% H2O2. The method described ensures good preservation of cellular and tissue glycoconjugates and is highly specific and sensitive.