Sulfated Acid Mucopolysaccharides In The Tectorial Membrane

The sulfated acid mucopolysaccharides in the tectorjal membrane of the guinea pig were detected by the electron microscopic histochemistry with ruthenium red staining, microphotospectrometric measurements after alcian blue staining, and electron probe microanalysis for S element. Combining with enzymatic analysis, the subdivision of the sulfated mucopolysaccharides was determined. Since they were digested by testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase-ABC, the acid mucopolysaccharides spread in the tectorial membrane should at least partly be chondroitin sulfate A and/or C. These findings were discussed as well as evaluation of the electron micro-probe analyzer. The “sulfated” acid mucopolysaccharides in the tectorial membrane would have a polarizing effect between the positive potential in the endolymph and the negative potential in the organ of Corti.