Lectin-binding histochemistry was used to investigate the distribution and the changes of the glycoconjugate saccharidic moieties in the olfactory epithelium of human fetuses ranging from 8 to 12 weeks of gestation. It was found that the basal cells, the sustentacular cells and the olfactory neurons exhibit differences in oligosaccharide cellular content and distribution. Differences in lectin binding was also demonstrated at the dendrite, cell body and axon of the receptor cells. From the 11th week onwards, Ulex europaeus agglutinin I was found to be a marker of the olfactory neurons.