Presence of periodic acid-reactive carbohydrate in the Golgi apparatus

The detection of glycoproteins in histological sections by light microscopy is obtained with the periodic acid-Schiff technique. In the hope of adapting this technique to the electron microscope, a three-step procedure was developed, the periodic acid-chromic acid-silver methenamine technique. This technique maintains glycoproteins as well as glycogen, with only negligible side reactions (unspecific in nature). Glutaraldehyde fixed tissues of the rat were stained with periodic acid-chromic acid-silver methenamine and examined in the electron microscope. Some saccules of the Golgi apparatus were stained in all cells examined. This part of the Golgi apparatus was referred to as the mature face in contrast to the forming face, where the saccules were unstained. In secretory cells, precursors of the secretory material were observed within the Golgi region. In these and in non-secretory cells, small vesicles and dense bodies (lysosomes) which may be of Golgi origin were also stained. Briefly, glycoproteins seem to be restricted to the Golgi apparatus and derivatives