Lectins demonstrate the presence of carbohydrates in the tectorial membrane of mammalian cochlea

Histological sections of rat and guinea pig cochleas were exposed to lectins to identify the carbohydrates present in the tectorial membranes. N-Acetylglucosamine, galactose, mannose and fucose were found to be present in both rats and guinea pigs, but N-acetylgalactosamine was not detected. In addition, two control experiments were performed. In the first, each lectin was preincubated with its specific inhibitory sugar. In the second, the unfixed tectorial membranes were exposed to lectins. Radioautographic studies confirmed the presence of glucosamine and fucose in the tectorial membrane of 1-day-old rats.