ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the presence anddistribution of cell surface terminal sugars in developing cartilage of theprimordial vertebrae in rat embryo. Material and Fifty female and 25 male Wistar rats were chosenrandomly. After adaptation, mating was done. Vaginal plug observationwas performed on O-day of gestation. Specimens were collected from9-18 days old embryos and were fixed in B4G solution. After routinehistological processing and embedding in paraffin, blocks were cut into4-micrometer thickness sections. Then sections were stained byPAS-Alcian blue and Lectin histochemistry methods [VVA-B4, MPA, WFA].On the basis of intensity of staining, sections were graded andnonparametric statistical test [Kruskal Wallis] was used to comparedifferences between samples. The commencment of chondroblast differentiation in the centrumof future vertebrae was specified by appearance of D-Gal Terminal sugarin 13th day of embryonic period. On the 14th to 16th days of presence ofGal/GalNac, D-GalNac terminal sugars were detected in developingvertebrae. Reactions were first observed in centrum and then in pediclesand laminae of vertebrae. From the 17th day on ward, reaction with theabove mentioned lectins showed a significant reductions [P<0.05]. This study showed that changes in surface terminal sugarsregulate morphologic changes and the fate of the cell, during tissuegrowth and development