Distribution of Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin binding sites in the genital organs of female and male mice.
Fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled type I lectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BSA-I) known for its specific binding to alpha-D-galactopyranosyl and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose groups, has been used to map the distribution of the lectin specific binding sites in the genital organs of female and male mice. In non-pregnant female mice, strong lectin reactivity was restricted to the epithelium of the distal oviduct, the cervix and vagina. In pregnant mice strong BSA-I reactivity was also noted in the epithelium of uterine glands from the time of implantation on day 5 onward. In the testis BSA-I bound selectively to sperm but did not react with other cells in the seminiferous tubules. In the proximal caput epididymis BSA-I reacted with the epithelial cells, the underlying basement membranes and the intraluminal sperm. The intraluminal contents of the seminal vesicles reacted strongly with the lectin. Our data thus show a widespread but selective distribution of BSA-I lectin binding sites in the male and female genital organs and altered lectin binding in the uterus during pregnancy.
D000116:Acetylgalactosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology; D004822:Epididymis / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005690:Galactose / Q000378:metabolism; D005835:Genitalia / Q000276:immunology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011247:Pregnancy; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000276:immunology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology
D037102:Lectins; D000116:Acetylgalactosamine; D005690:Galactose