Glycomic analyses of ovarian follicles during development and atresia

► In ovarian follicles the major chondroitin sulfates are ∆uronic acid with 4- or 6-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine. ► Versican is the predominant 4-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine proteoglycan in follicles. ► An unidentified non- or 6-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine proteoglycan is also present in follicles. ► 6-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine epitopes [antibodies 7D4, 3C5, 4C3 and 3B3(+)] identify a potential stem cell niche. ► The major heparan sulfate are Δuronic acid with N-acetlyglucosamine, and the sulfation is uniform in the follicles examined.