fem-3 mRNA is easily detectable in embryo, L4 and adult hermaphrodites but is also present at a low level in L1, L2 and L3 animals. The 1.62 kb and 1.55 kb transcripts are found in both L4 and adult hermaphrodites, though 1.62 kb transcript is increased relative to 1.55 kb transcript in adults. In embryos, the 1.55kb transcripts is missing, and a larger (1.7kb)
fem-3 transcript is present.