Glycoconjugates in the middle ear and eustachian tubal epithelium

Glycoconjugates in the middle ear and eustachian tubal epithelium were investigated using lectin histochemical techniques. A comparison of the affinity of lectins demonstrated the heterogeneity of glycoconjugates in the secretory cells of the middle ear and eustachian tubal epithelium. Lectin histochemical analysis of sialoglycoconjugates in the developing murine tubotympanum showed that terminal galactose residues are masked by sialic acids around birth, and that sialic acids are important for mucociliary function.