Differences in the labeling of axons of passage by wheat germ agglutinin after uptake by cut peripheral nerve versus injections within the central nervous system.

Injections of a radiolabeled derivative of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in the subcortical white matter of the cerebral cortex in mice do not give rise to autoradiographic labeling of axon systems coursing through this fiber mass. Exposing the cut-end of mouse tibial nerve to WGA does, however, produce labeling within dorsal root ganglia and the spinal cord. These findings are discussed with consideration for dissimilarity in mode of central versus peripheral administration of the tracer, as well as in the light of potential relative differences in the uptake and transport of WGA and HRP.