Detection of sulphated carbohydrates in primitive yolk granules of the hen's oocyte.
Application of several staining methods specific for sulphated carbohydrates have indicated the presence of one or more of these macromolecular species in primitive yolk granules of the hen oocyte. The rationale for the various methods used are detailed in the Materials and methods section. Discussion centres on whether the substances taking up stain may be chondroitin sulphates or other sulphated glycosaminoglycans and the possible roles of such molecules in early development.