Histogenetic Study of the Vestibular Ganglion in the Developing Chick Embryo by Lectin-Horseradish Peroxidase Methods

Hatchery eggs of White Leghorn hens were incubated and the vestibular ganglion cells of 3.5- to 6-day-old chick embryos were studied by the lectin-horseradish peroxidase methods (WGA, UEA-1). In the 3.5-day-old chick embryos, the facial-acoustic ganglion mass was recognized close to the otic vesicle. The statoacoustic ganglion reacted to lectins on the rhombencephalic side, indicating that glycoconjugates play a role in the nerve connection between ganglion and rhombencephalon. In the 4-day-old chick embryos, a strong reaction to lectins was observed on the ganglion cell membrane of the geniculate and statoacoustic ganglions, suggesting that glycoconjugates may be related to their differentiation. In 4- and 5-day-old chick embryos, the mesenchymal tissue showed a strong reaction to lectins, suggesting that it plays an important part in the differentiation of the vestibular ganglion.