Fig. 2. Distribution of galectin 1 mRNA in the adult mouse testis. Sections were hybridised with 35S-labelled antisense probes for galectin 1 (A-D,F) or Ctsl (E) and counterstained with Toluidine Blue. (A,B) Brightfield and darkground images showing the different levels of galectin 1 mRNA expressed in individual cross sections of the seminiferous tubules. (C,D) Sections of tubules showing differential expression of galectin 1 mRNA at various stages in the seminiferous epithelial cycle, indicated by Roman numerals in C. Galectin 1 mRNA is most abundant at stages X-XII, and lowest at stages VII-VIII. Transcripts are also detected in interstitial cells lying between the tubules (arrows). (E) mRNA of the Sertoli cell marker Ctsl (dense black grains) is localised around the perimeter of the tubules. (F) Stage VIII-IX tubule (also marked * in A) undergoing spermiation. Black grains indicate expression of galectin 1 mRNA in the Sertoli cells. Arrowheads indicate Sertoli cell nuclei. Autoradiographic exposure times were 14 days for galectin 1 and 12 days for Ctsl.
