ON THE USE OF TESTICULAR HYALURONIDASE FOR IDENTIFYING ACID MUCINS IN TISSUE SECTIONS

Abstract

Contrary to other reports, testicular hyaluronidase has been found to have no effect on the histochemical staining properties of sublingual glands from several mammals including humans with and without cystic fibrosis. This result is consistent with what is already known about the properties of hyaluronidase and the chemical composition of epithelial acid mucins. Testicular hyaluronidase apparently only degrades acid mucopolysaccharides containing endo-[beta]-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues such as are present in hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfates A and C, none of which has been isolated in significant amounts from epithelial mucins.