The degree of polymerisation (DP) is an important parameter for analysis of saccharideantigens, particularly in glycoconjugates. The invention provides methodsthat can be used to measure DP for capsular saccharides, particularly for meningococcalsaccharides . from serogroups W135 and Y. A preferred method is basedon reduction of terminal sialic acid residues on saccharides, with DP then beingcalculated by comparing the molar ratio of total sialic acid to reduced sialicacid.