Periductal and matrix glycosaminoglycans in rat Mullerian duct development and regression

Gonadal ridges containing Mullerian and Wolffian ducts were removed from rat embryos from Days 14 through 16 of gestation and their production of glycoprotein, hyaluronate, and sulfated glycosaminoglycans examined. Autoradiographic, histochemical, and biochemical studies indicate that the periductal zone contains hyaluronate and sulfated glycosaminoglycans, that these matrix constituents are degraded during development, and that the proportions of glycosaminoglycans accumulated by isolated female gonadal ridges in vitro can be altered by the addition of Mullerian inhibiting substance to the culture medium. When the Mullerian duct regressed there was an unexpected persistence of labeled glucosamine derivatives in cells in the mesenchymal cell space suggesting that some such cells are dissociated ductal epithelial cells which have transformed into mesenchyme.