[Histochemical demonstration of proteins, lipids and polysaccharides in Japanese monkey oocytes]

A histochemical study of proteins, lipids and polysaccharides was carried out in the oocytes of Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata) during development of follicles. There were a small number of protein granules reactive to acrolein-Schiff in the cytoplasm of oocytes from primordial, secondary and vesicular follicles, while there were no lipid droplets, granules of neutral polysaccharides or acid polysaccharides in the cytoplasm. Proteins reactive to acrolein-Schiff, neutral polysaccharides reactive to periodic acid-Schiff and acid polysaccharides stainable with alcian blue were observed in the zona pellucida of the oocytes of secondary and vesicular follicles. The zona pellucida contained sudanophilic lipids composed of neutral fats and lipoids, besides the proteins and polysaccharides.