Fig. 4From: PTEN signaling is required for the maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells in mouse, by regulating the expressions of PLZF and UTF1Reduction of GFRα1 and PLZF positive SSCs and increase of UTF1 positive cells in neonatal Pten −/− testes. Staining of 7 day-old testis sections showed the reduction of both GFRα1+ SSCs and PLZF+ SSCs a and the emergence of PLZF−/UTF1+ SSCs in the Pten −/− testis (b, arrow). Staining of 10 day-old testis sections showed a significant loss of both GFRα1+ SSCs and PLZF+ SSCs (c) and an increase in the number of PLZF−/UTF1+ cells in the Pten −/− testis (d, arrows). Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (scale bar is 20 µm). Based on coimmunofluorescent staining of testicular tubule sections from both Pten +/+ and Pten −/− mice at 7 days old (e–g) and at 10 day olds (h–j), the average number ± SEM of GFRα1+, PLZF+ and PLZF−/UTF1+ cells per tubule cross-section were calculated and presented as bar graphs. For the statistical analysis, each five inconsecutive testis sections were counted. Horizontal bar indicates mean value, n = 4, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.Back to article page