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In the present research we have investigated the distribution of the sugar residues of the glycoconjugates in the prepubertal and postpubertal testes of a subject with Morris’s syndrome (CAIS, Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome). For this purpose a battery of six horseradish peroxidaseconjugated lectins was used (SBA, PNA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEAI). We have obtained a complete distributional map of the terminal and sub-terminal oligosaccharides in the tunica albuginea, interstitial tissue, lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, mastocytes and endothelial cells. Furthermore the present study has shown that a large amount of sugar residues were detectable in the prepubertal and postpubertal testes but that some differences exist with particular regard to the Sertoli cells. The Sertoli cells and the Leydig cells of the retained prepubertal testis of the patient affected by Morris’s syndrome were characterized by the presence of a-L-fucose, which was absent in the retained prepubertal testis of the normal subjects. Comparing the results on the postpubertal testis with those obtained on the same aged testis of healthy subjects we have demonstrated that a-L-fucose in the Sertoli and Leydig cells and D-galactose-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in the results on the postpubertal testis with those obtained on the same aged testis of healthy subjects we have demonstrated that a-L-fucose in the Sertoli and Leydig cells and D-galactose-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in the Leydig cells are a unique feature of the subject affected by Morris’s syndrome. D-galactose (ß1?3)-N-acetyl-Dgalactosamine and sialic acid, which are present in the Leydig cells of the normal testis were never observed in the same cells of the postpubertal testis of the CAIS patient.

In the present study we have investigated the oligosaccharidic content of the glycoconjugates within the human foetal testis starting from its earliest differentiation phase (8, 10 and 12 weeks of gestation). To this purpose we have used a battery of six horseradish peroxidase-labelled lectins (SBA, PNA, WGA, UEAI, LTA and ConA). We have obtained a complete distributional map of the sugar residues of the glycoconjugates in the coelomic mesothelium, tunica albuginea, pre-Sertoli cells, pre-gonocytes, Leydig cells, basement membrane of the sex cords, interstitial tissue, mastocytes and endothelial cells of the capillary vessels. Since the beginning of the testis differentiation phase the cells of the coelomic mesothelium showed a large amount of sugar residues. In the pre-Sertoli cells and in the pre-gonocytes a role played as structural molecules by some oligosaccharides could be hypothesized. Dgalactose-( ß1?3)-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, sialic acid, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and a-D-mannose could be involved in inducing and maintaining the cellular activity of the Leydig cells.

It is well known that cell surface glycoconjugates play a determinant role in cellular recognition, cell-to-cell adhesion and serve as receptor molecules. T-lymphocytes are in strict contact with the thymic epithelial cells, which control their process of maturation and proliferation. On the other hand the normal maturation of the epithelial cells is believed to be induced by T-lymphocytes. For these reasons we have studied the glycoconjugates saccharidic moieties of the sessile and motile cells in the thymus of normal male albino Wistar rats and their changes following cyclosporin-A treatment, using a battery of seven HRPlectins. Cytochemical controls were performed for specificity of lectin-sugar reaction. Some sections were pre-treated with neuraminidase prior to staining with HRP-lectins. Our results have demonstrated, in the control rats, a large amount and a variety of terminal and subterminal oligosaccharides within and/or on the epithelial thymic cells and in macrophages. After cyclosporin-A treatment, among the thymic epithelial cells, the subcapsular, paraseptal and perivascular cells showed the loss of some sugar residues, which characterized the same cells in the intact thymus. Some hypotheses are reported on the role played by the glycoconjugate sugar residues in control and cyclosporin-A treated rats.

The aim of the present research was to investigate the changes of the sugar residues in the oviduct in the course of ageing in postmenopausal women vs normally menstruating women, by means of lectin histochemistry. Twenty asymptomatic postmenopausal women (48- 83 years old) were recruited among patients who underwent a vaginal hysterectomy. Eight normally menstruating women were recruited as controls. Fragments of Fallopian tubes (pars ampullaris) were fixed in 10% formalin and routinely processed. The sections were labelled with HRP-lectins (PNA, SBA, DBA, WGA, Con A, LTA, UEAI). Some sections were pre-treated with neuraminidase prior to staining with HRP-lectins. Among the postmenopausal patients, our histochemical data showed that there was no difference in the localization and distribution of sugar residues of glycoconjugates as detected by various HRP-lectins. Moreover, our results demonstrated that the oviductal epithelium is characterized by apical reactivity in both ciliated and non-ciliated cells. In the course of ageing, the ciliated cells changed their morphology from bathyprismatic to large and rounded shape. ConA lectin reacted intensely with such highly degenerating ciliated cells and could be considered a marker of these cells. The degenerating ciliated cells are also characterized by the absence of sialic acid. In comparison with the sugar residues present in the control group, the oviductal epithelium of postmenopausal women is characterized by the loss of reactivity with DBA, WGA and ConA. Moreover, PNA reactive material was present at the free border of the ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The latter findings were statistically confirmed and could be considered strictly related to the ageing process.

It is well known that cell surface glycoconjugates play an important role in cell proliferation, adhesion and differentiation. The aim of this investigation was to define the changes of the glycoconjugate saccharidic moieties in the epidermis and derma of patients affected by several skin pathologies such as seborrheic keratosis, lichen planus, granuloma annulare and palmoplantaris keratoderma. Bioptical specimens from skin lesions as well as from normal skin were fixed in Carnoy's fluid and routinely processed. The sections were treated with HRP-lectins (PNA, DBA, SBA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEAI). Cytochemical controls were performed for specificity of lectin-sugar reaction. Some sections were pre-treated with neuraminidase prior to staining with I-IRP lectins. In comparison with normal human skin, epidermal lectin binding pattern in the considered diseases showed considerable qualitative and quantitative variations. In general, in all the considered pathologies, a lack andtor a decrease in lectin binding at the epidermal layers was observed; among the various diseases, differences in cellular localisation of the sugar residues were also noted. In such respect, an exception was represented by seborrheic keratosis, where the cells of the basal layer showed PNA reactivity, which was absent in the basal layer of the normal skin. Although seborrheic keratosis and lichen planus have been studied by others authors, our findings are not in total accordance concerning lectin binding; this is probably due to the different fixatives employed. Our findings seem to reveal significant changes in keratinocyte glycoconjugate oligosaccharides in the previously mentioned diseases, providing clues to their pathogenesis.

A lectin histochemical study was performed to investigate the glycoconjugate saccharidic moieties on the endometrial epithelium and stroma in 12 women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in-vitro fertilisation for embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in early luteal phase. 7 control subjects were also evaluated. For this purpose a battery of seven horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (PNA, SBA, DBA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEA I) was used. Cytochemical controls were performed for specificity of lectin-sugar reaction. As far as the endometrial glands and stroma are concerned, the obtained data showed no differences in the endometrial lectin binding between the subjects of the control group and the ones undergoing COH, with the exception of PNA reactivity at the level of the apical portion of the glandular cells, which was detected only in COH women. It is noteworthy that, although the endometrial dating using the Noyes's criteria showed marked dissynchronies between the stroma and the glands in COH subjects, a uniformity of lectin binding, revealing the same type and localization of terminal oligosaccharides, was observed in all the examined subjects. The uniformity in distribution of the sugar residues detected in the endometrial specimens following COH might be due to the massive FSH and/or hCG treatment which probably determines an endometrial environment almost equal in all the examined subjects. In all the treated subjects reactivity with sialidase-WGA and ConA, revealing the presence of Nacetyl -D-glucosamine and D-mannose respectively, was detected at the level of the lining epithelium.

A lectin histochemical study was performed to investigate the glycoconjugate saccharidic moieties of the human postmenopausal endometrium (14 atrophic and 15 hyperplastic). For this purpose a battery of seven horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (PNA, SBA, DBA, WGA, ConA, LTA and UEA I) was used. No differences in lectin binding between atrophic and hyperplastic endometria were observed. This investigation allowed us to provide a basic picture of the oligosaccharidic distribution in postmenopausal endometria. The data on the saccharidic distribution at the postmenopausal endometria showed a large amount of sugar residues at all the investigated sites, i.e. the lining and glandular epithelium, the stroma and the vessels (capillary and large vessels). Furthermore, at the endometrial lining epithelium, at the glands and at the wall of the blood vessels of some postmenopausal women the presence of a-L-fucosyl residues which bind via a (1-6) linkage to penultimate glucosaminyl residues andtor difucosylated oligosaccharides was demonstrated for the first time.