Histochemical localization of estrogen induced sulfated glycoprotein in rabbit uterus

Histochemical localization of the estrogen-induced sulfated glycoproteins was made in the estrogen-treated rabbit uterus. Biochemical studies by a group of Endo et al, affirmed these particular glycoproteins were PAS-positive and metachromatic as stained with TB. No sign of digestion, however, has been detected in a series of tests with alpha-amylase, testicular hyaluronidase, streptomyces hyaluronidase, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase ABC, and heparinase. The apical portions of the epithelial and glandular cells, obviously expanded by the estrogen treatment, display strong beta-metachromasia with TB (pH 4.0), saliva-resistant PAS-positive reactions, and also alcianophilia with AB (pH 2.5). These reactions are not reduced after the treatment with the enzymes above-mentioned. Meanwhile, in the stromal matrix, the same enzymes give an influence to diminish the reactions to various extent. Our results suggest that the estrogen-induced sulfated glycoprotein is definitely localized in the apical portions of the epithelial and glandular cells. The identity is emphasized between the substance that is elucidated in the histochemical sections and the sulfated glycoproteins that have been specified solely by means of biochemical assays.