Glycogen in Developing and Young Rat Oral Epithelium

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Undecalcified heads of 14, 16, 18 and 20 day rat embryos and young''rats at birth and 3 days after birth were sectioned, stained and examined for keratinization and glycogen. The Alcian blue-Periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) method was used to show the glycogen distribution in oral and respiratory epithelium. All areas of the oral epithelium were keratinized and all areas (except tongue and floor of the mouth) contained glycogen in variable amounts. Unkeratinized respiratory epithelium also contained glycogen. Glycogen is probably a source of energy for cell growth and development. Glycogen is not specifically related to keratin formation.