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PubMed2004

Cloning, characterisation, and expression of three oestrogen receptors (ERalpha, ERbeta1 and ERbeta2) in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax.

Three oestrogen receptor [ER] subtypes have been described in teleost fish, namely ERalpha, and two ERbeta subtypes, called ERbeta1 and ERbeta2 (or ERbeta and ERgamma in Atlantic croaker). Their expression during embryonic development and gonadal growth has evoked interest in their potential role in sexual differentiation and gonadal development in fish. We cloned three oestrogen receptors from adult liver (sb-ERalpha cDNA) and ovary (partial sb-ERbeta1 and sb-ERbeta2 cDNAs) of the European sea bass, and according to their phylogenetic relatedness to other ERs in teleosts, named them sea bass [sb-] ERalpha, ERbeta1 and ERbeta2. Deduced amino acid numbers for sb-ERalpha, sb-ERbeta1 and sb-ERbeta2 were 639, 517 and 608, respectively, representing in the case of sb-ERbeta1 and sb-ERbeta2 about 90% of the open reading frame. Highest amino acid identities were found for sb-ERalpha with eelpout ERalpha (88.7%), for sb-ERbeta1 with Atlantic croaker ERgamma (85.8%), and for sb-ERbeta2 with Atlantic croaker ERbeta (90.1%). Southern analysis confirmed that all three sea bass oestrogen receptors (sb-ERs) are the products of three distinct genes. In adult sea bass, ERalpha was predominantly expressed in liver and pituitary, while sb-ERbeta1 and sb-ERbeta2 were more ubiquitously expressed, with highest expression levels in pituitary. In a mixed-sex population of juvenile sea bass, sb-ERalpha expression was significantly elevated in gonads at 200 days posthatch (dph), while for sb-ERbeta1 and sb-ERbeta2 highest expression levels were observed in gonads at 250 dph. For sb-ERbeta2, expression was also significantly higher in the brain at 250 dph. The cloning of these three ER subtypes in the European sea bass together with the results obtained on expression levels in adult and juvenile animals has given us the foundation to investigate their possible role in sexual differentiation and development in this species in future studies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Molecular basis of male (in)fertility.

It is obvious that the molecular basis of male (in)fertility is not a linear order of genetic events but the interaction of complex genetic networks functional in three main developmental pathways: male germ-line development, male gonad development, and male somatic development. Consequently, primary genetic switch signals should exist for linking the different gene networks and/or for starting them. There is some evidence that such switch signals are concentrated on the sex chromosomes. However multiple genes encoding gene products functional for male fertility exist also on other chromosomes (autosomes). In this review I have tried to summarize our current knowledge of the location, structure and function of these genes in the human genome and, if possible, to reveal possible interactions. Additionally, the importance of the chromosome constitution (karyotype) for male fertility is discussed by describing the impairment of meiosis in sterile men with different chromosome abnormalities. As a consequence the question must be raised whether it is not advisable to increase our research activities on the analysis of genetic networks functional for male fertility in order to increase our molecular understanding of the causative agents leading to male infertility.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of temperature on testicular cycle of wild birds Black headed munia and Spotted munia.

A long term investigation was made on the effects of temperature in the reproduction of tropical wild birds, Black headed munia, Munia malacca and Spotted munia, Lonchura punctulata. In Spotted munia delayed gonadal development as well as regression were observed in 12 degrees C treated group. In 20 degrees C treated birds the testicular volume was significantly less in the month of September and October and was significantly more in November compared to the corresponding control values. In 27 degrees C treated birds delay in testicular development was observed. In Black headed munia delayed gonadal development and regression was observed in 12 degrees C and 20 degrees C treated groups. But maximum gonadal development Delayed regression was also noticed in 20 degrees C group. In 27 degrees C treated group an inhibition of the testicular development was noticed during progressive phase (September). Present findings suggest that neither temperature nor continuous illumination could alter the circannual nature of testicular cycle in spotted munia indicating that temperature acts only as supplementary factor in the reproduction of these two bird models. We further suggest that temperature effects are mediated through changes in thyroxine levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Gonadotrophin-regulated production of immunoactive inhibin and androgen by cultured testicular cells from chicken embryos.

To study the potential intragonadal role of inhibin and inhibin-related proteins in the developing gonad, a method was developed to culture testicular cells of chicken embryos. A single-step collagenase/DNase digestion was used to disperse the cells. Except for the primordial germ cells and the erythrocytes, the cells attached well to plastic culture dishes. Moreover, they could easily be grown in the absence of serum or other additives. Inhibin secretion was measured using a heterologous radioimmunoassay validated for use in this species. The fetal testicular cells secreted high amounts of immunoactive inhibin and remained responsive to gonadotrophins. Two different cell populations could be recognized in monolayers of testicular cells: the first population had a fibroblast-like stromal appearance, resembling interstitial cells; the second had an epitheloid appearance and contained large numbers of refractile vacuoles, resembling Sertoli cells. Both cell populations were enriched using a Percoll density gradient. The epitheloid cells displayed a higher capacity to secrete immunoactive inhibin, while the stromal cells were responsible for the bulk of androgen secretion. FSH, but also LH, stimulated inhibin secretion in the epitheloid cells. Although ovine LH was the most potent stimulus for androgen secretion by the stromal cells, ovine FSH was also capable of increasing androgen output in stromal cells and to a lesser extent in epitheloid cells. As the two enriched cell populations were still contaminated by other cell types, this may indicate, as in other species, that FSH-induced paracrine factors are involved in the regulation of androgen secretion in the developing gonad.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androgens↗
PubMed1987

A genetic analysis of the sex-determining gene, tra-1, in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

The normal sexes of Caenorhabditis elegans are the self-fertilizing hermaphrodite (XX) and the male (XO). The autosomal gene tra-1 is a major switch gene controlling sexual phenotype. Mutant phenotypes of 43 loss-of-function (lf) tra-1 alleles and 22 gain-of-function (gf) tra-1 alleles are described and discussed. The tra-1(lf) alleles are recessive and, in general, masculinizing. The most severe mutations (such as seven out of eight identified amber alleles) can transform XX animals into fertile males. These mutations have little effect on XO animals (which are male already) but lead to some abnormalities in XO gonadal development, indicating that tra-1 has functions in normal development of both sexes, although its major function is confined to the XX hermaphrodite. Weaker tra-1(lf) alleles lead to incomplete masculinization of XX animals, resulting in a variety of intersexual phenotypes. the tra-1(gf) alleles are dominant and have an opposite, feminizing effect. Six out of 22 can transform XO animals into fertile females or hermaphrodites, whereas the remainder cause partial feminization. All 22 transform XX animals into fertile females. Limited intragenic mapping indicates that the gene is large and that gf alleles map to a location different from lf alleles. The results suggest that the tra-1 gene has several roles in wild-type sexual development. First, tra-1 activity dictates female, as opposed to male, development in all nongonadal tissues of XX animals. Second, tra-1 activity dictates female development in the somatic gonad of XX animals. Third, a high level of tra-1 activity may act to inhibit spermatogenesis in the XX germ line, thereby assisting the switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis in the hermaphrodite. These three functions are all feminizing and specific to the XX animal; the gene also has minor functions in the XO animal, which are to assist normal male somatic gonad development and to promote abundant spermatogenesis in males. A low level of both spermatogenesis and oogenesis can occur in the absence of tra-1 activity. Both the function and the regulation of this gene must be complex.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

An HMG1-like protein facilitates Wnt signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We show that during Caenorhabditis elegans male spicule development, the specification of a glial versus neuronal cell fate in a canonical neurogenic sublineage is dependent on Wnt signaling. Inactivation of a Wnt signaling pathway mediated by the Wnt receptor LIN-17 transforms the SPD sheath cell into its sister, the SPD neuron. We discovered a new mutant, son-1, that displays this same cell fate transformation. The son-1 mutation enhances the phenotypes of reduction-of-function lin-17 mutants in several developmental processes, including vulva development, somatic gonad development, and male tail patterning. son-1 encodes an HMG1/2-like DNA-binding protein and is localized in all cell nuclei through development as revealed by a GFP reporter construct. Disruption of son-1 function by RNA-mediated interference results in the same spicule defect as caused by overexpression of POP-1, a TCF/LEF class HMG protein known to act downstream of the Wnt signaling pathway. Our results provide in vivo evidence for the functional involvement of an HMG1/2-like protein, SON-1, in Wnt signaling. The sequence nonspecific HMG protein SON-1 and the sequence specific HMG protein POP-1 might both act in the Wnt responding cells to regulate gene transcription in opposite directions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

45,X/46,XY mosaicism: report of 27 cases.

OBJECTIVES: There exist substantial differences between prenatally and postnatally diagnosed cases of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. Ninety percent of prenatally diagnosed cases show a normal male phenotype, whereas the postnatally diagnosed cases show a wide spectrum of phenotypes. This 10% risk of an abnormal outcome in prenatally diagnosed cases requires further attention. The purpose of the present study is to provide more information on the postnatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XY mosaicism cases. To date, only a few series have been reported. An accurate diagnosis in these patients is essential not only to their follow-up, but also to providing appropriate genetic counselling and subsequent prenatal diagnosis to their parents. METHODS: The clinical, cytogenetic, endocrinologic, histologic and molecular biological findings of 27 patients with 45, X/46,XY mosaicism are analyzed. RESULTS: The reported cases showed a wide spectrum of phenotypes as Turner syndrome, mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD), male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH) and apparently normal male. However, Ulrich-Turner stigmata were the most common features found in this series. Patients with MGD or MPH presented with various degrees of sex reversal such as hypospadias and/or abnormal internal genitalia. No correlation between the proportion of the 45,X/46,XY cell lines in the blood or the fibroblasts and the phenotype was found. Mild mental retardation was present in 4 of the patients and 2 patients showed signs of autism. CONCLUSIONS: Two major points are emphasized in this series: 1) the presence in 7 histologically analyzed streak gonads of a homogeneous 45,X chromosomal complement suggests that the invasion of the primitive genital ridge by a such a cell line may induce abnormal gonadal development; 2) 3 males, apparently normal at birth, developed late onset abnormalities such as dysgenetic testes leading to infertility, Ulrich-Turner stigmata, dysmorphic features, and mild mental retardation. These data indicate the importance of an accurate clinical and histologic evaluation of any patient presenting with 45, X/46,XY mosaicism.

Disorders of Sex Development↗
PubMed2004

Endocrine-disrupting activity of chemicals in diesel exhaust and diesel exhaust particles.

Diesel exhaust (DE) is known as the main cause of air pollution. DE is a complex mixture of particulate and vapor-phase compounds. The soluble organic fraction of the particulate materials in DE contains thousands of compounds including a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. To clarify the endocrine-disrupting activities of DE, we have reviewed the reports about the effects of DE on the reproductive and brain-nervous systems, and the endocrine-disrupting action of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). In utero exposure to low levels (0.1 mg DEP/m3) of DE from day 2 postcoitum (p.c.) until day 13 p.c. reduced the expression level of Ad4BP/SF-1 mRNA and thereby might affect the development of gonads. Low levels of DE also reduced the expression of several genes known to play key roles in gonadal development, including an enzyme necessary for testosterone synthesis. Mature male rats exposed to DE during the fetal period showed an irreversible decrease in daily sperm production due to an insufficient number of Sertoli cells. DE exposure during the fetal period influenced the brain tissue in newborn mice. In the 3 mg DEP/m3 exposure group at 10 weeks of age, a significant reduction in performance was observed in the passive avoidance learning test in both male and female mice. In addition, the fetal exposure of mice to DE affected the emotional behaviors associated with the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in the mouse brain. In toluidine blue-stained specimens from the DE-exposed group, edema around the vessels where fluorescent granular perithelial (FGP) cells exist and degenerated granules within the FGP cytoplasm were observed; similar findings were obtained by electron microscopic examination. DEP contain many substances that stimulate Ah receptors, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing benzo[a]pyrene. DEP also contain substances with estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. The neutral substance fraction of DEP has the causal substance that reduces estrogen receptor mRNA expression. Evaluating the influence of these chemicals present in the environment on human health is an important task.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Sex determination and primary sex differentiation in amphibians: genetic and developmental mechanisms.

Most amphibians lack morphologically distinguishable sex chromosomes, but a number of experimental techniques have shown that amphibian sex determination is controlled genetically. The few studies suggesting that environment influences sex determination in amphibians have all been conducted at temperatures outside of the range normally experienced by the species under study, and these effects probably do not occur under natural conditions. No sex-determining genes have been described in amphibians, and sex differentiation can be altered by treatment with exogenous steroid hormones. The effects of sex steroids vary extensively between species, and a variety of steroids can alter the sex ratios of treated larvae. The role of endogenous sex steroids in gonadal differentiation has not been fully explored; thus the natural role of steroids in amphibian gonadal differentiation is unknown. Sex steroid receptors have not been examined in amphibian gonads, and the mechanism of steroid action on the gonad is unclear. In addition to steroids, the thyroid hormones may play a role in gonadal differentiation. Pituitary gonadotrop(h)ins affect gonadal growth, but not differentiation or maturation of gonads. In addition to the issue of resolving the mechanisms underlying hormone action in gonadal differentiation, other debates concerning interactions between the developing gonads and the invading germ cells, and even the origin of the medullary and cortical portions of the developing gonads, remain unresolved. Studies examining links between sex determination and gonadal differentiation are needed. In addition, examinations of variation in steroidal effects on gonadal development in a phylogenetic context are lacking.

Amphibians↗
PubMed2004

Testis-like development of gonads in female moles. New insights on mammalian gonad organogenesis.

Moles are unique among mammals because all females of several species of genus Talpa have bilateral ovotestes (gonads with both ovarian and testicular tissue). Based on the analysis of a large sample of embryos, foetuses and infants over a 13-year period, we have studied the development of the gonads in male and female moles of the species Talpa occidentalis. Several new field and laboratory procedures were developed specifically to obtain and manage this singular material. Our results reveal that gonads of female moles develop according to a testis-like pattern, which includes cord formation and mesonephric cell migration, and begins at the same time as testis differentiation in males. The first signs of sex differentiation do not appear in males but in females. Female (but not male) gonads are regionalised with a cortex (precursor of the ovarian tissue) and a medulla (precursor of the testicular tissue). Germ cells concentrate only in the cortex, so that the medulla soon becomes sterile. Testicular tissue development is transiently retarded in females for about a week before birth, and resumes afterwards. Development of the ovarian tissue in females is considerably delayed with respect to that of testicular tissue in both males and females. The molecular characterisation of peritubular myoid cells, which are exclusive of testes, evidences the presence of testicular tissue in the gonads of female moles, which also contain Leydig cells. However, the absence of fully differentiated Sertoli cells indicates that these cells are not responsible for triggering the differentiation of such a testicular tissue. Our results are also discussed regarding the definition of Sertoli cell morphology and function, and the possible role of germ cells in the sex-reversal process. Differences observed between XX and XY gonad development in moles suggest that the mammalian testis-determining gene, SRY, has an "anti-regionalisation" role during gonadal development, at least in those mammalian species in which regionalisation of the female gonad occurs.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of germ cells development in gonads of human fetuses and newborns.

Germ cells development at particular stages of gonad differentiation during the period of fetal intrauterine life were investigated. The study was performed on 101 ovaries obtained from 76 fetuses and neonates. The earliest ovary obtained was from a 12-week old fetus, the oldest one was from a full-term fetus. The examination of germ cells was based on the analysis of the morphology and enzymatic activity. The morphology of the cells was studied by the use of light and electromicroscopy. In germ cells development three forms were distinguished: gonocytes, oogonia and oocytes. Gonocytes were observed in all the ovaries analyzed. They were found mostly among cells covering the gonad. Basing on the difference in their size, shape of nucleus and cytoplasm gonocytes were divided into older ones and younger ones. In the ovaries of fetuses, as early as the 14th week of the intrauterine life, oogonia were observed. Their fairly regular shape, abundance of cytoplasm and large nucleus, often with nucleolus, made their observation possible even in light microscopy. In the cytoplasm of regularly differentiating oogonia organelles were more numerous than in gonocytes. Oocytes constituted a more differentiated form of germ cells. In comparison to the cells surrounding them, they had a larger size, were rounded in shape and had a centrally located nucleus. In the cytoplasm separated into the surrounding space was observed. In a large number of different germ cells signs of degeneration were found. The study has confirmed that irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, all forms of germ cells are present in the fetal ovaries and that the differentiation continues throughout the whole period of intrauterine life.

Cell Differentiation↗
PubMed2006

Elevated organochlorines in the brain-hypothalamic-pituitary complex of intersexual shovelnose sturgeon.

Organochlorine compounds (OCs), including polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides, were used on lands adjacent to the Middle Mississippi River (MMR; USA) from 1930 through 1988, and they continue to occur in MMR fish. These compounds are estrogenic and/or antiandrogenic, and they alter hormone production and reception within the brain and gonads of male fish, resulting in intersexuality and/or suppressed gonadal development. To assess how OCs affect reproduction of MMR fish, we quantified OC accumulation, intersexuality, and gonadal development in male shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) throughout the MMR during the spring of 2003. Gonads were observed for intersexual characteristics, weighed to calculate the gonadosomatic index (GSI), and examined histologically. Tissue accumulation of OCs was quantified in gonads, brain-hypothalamic-pituitary (BHP) complex, and fillets. Four of 48 mature males were identified macroscopically as intersexuals, and a fifth was found through histology (a 10.4% incidence). Intersexuals accumulated higher concentrations of OCs in the BHP complex compared with those of mature males. In addition, GSI and OC accumulation within the BHP complex, gonads, and fillets of mature males were negatively related. Exposure to OCs before or during sexual differentiation likely induces intersexuality in MMR shovelnose sturgeon, and exposure throughout gonadal maturation inhibits gonadal development.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Development of gonadal feedback regulation of gonadotropin gene expression and secretion in female rats.

The postnatal development of the gonadal negative feedback control of gonadotropins was studied in female rats. Neonatal (5-day-old) and randomly cycling young (60-day-old) and more mature (180-day-old) adult rats were ovariectomized, and half of them received Silastic implants containing the synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol. The neonatal rats were killed 5, 10 or 15 days, and the adult rats 7 days after the operation. Age-matched and sham-operated animals served as controls. There were no statistically significant responses of serum LH or FSH concentrations or of the pituitary gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels to ovariectomy at any of the neonatal ages. A marked increase (p < 0.01) after ovariectomy was seen in serum gonadotropins and in the cognate mRNA levels at both adult ages. In spite of the weak feedback response of the neonatal rats to ovariectomy, diethylstilbestrol suppressed the basal pituitary gonadotropin concentrations and the specific LH and FSH beta-chain mRNAs (p < 0.01-0.05). These results demonstrate that the gonadal negative feedback regulation of gonadotropin synthesis and secretion is not fully developed in neonatal and prepubertal female rats before 20 days of age. This is probably due to the steroidogenic quiescence of the ovaries in early life. However, the capability of the pituitary to respond to negative estrogen feedback has developed in the neonatal female, as demonstrated by the suppressive effects of diethylstilbestrol treatment on gonadotropin secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The cell-specific nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 plays multiple roles in reproductive function.

The cytochrome P450 steroid hydroxylases exhibit tissue-specific and developmentally regulated gene expression. Recent studies showed that the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) plays a key role in their gene regulation. In mouse embryos, SF-1 expression began at the inception of adrenal and gonadal development, suggesting that SF-1 plays a key role in the steroidogenic cell differentiation. SF-1 was also expressed in the developing pituitary gland and diencephalon, which raised the possibility that it also has additional roles in endocrine development. To examine the role of SF-1 in intact mice, we disrupted the gene encoding SF-1 by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells; this approach ultimately permitted us to generate SF-1 knockout mice in which the gene encoding SF-1 was inactivated. These studies revealed essential roles of SF-1 in endocrine development that included adrenal and gonadal development, expression of several markers of pituitary gonadotropes, and formation of the ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) nucleus. These results indicate that SF-1 acts at multiple levels of the reproductive axis to maintain reproductive competence.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1996

Melatonin influences gonadotropin II secretion in the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus).

The role of melatonin in the control of gonadotropin II (GtH II) secretion was investigated in Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) during different phases of the day-night cycle and seasonal reproductive cycle. Intraperitoneal injection of melatonin during the late-light phase of the day-night cycle elicited a significant elevation in plasma GtH II levels in croaker with fully developed gonads. The increase in GtH II levels was observed 30 min postinjection; the levels remained elevated for 1 hr and started to decline at the 2-hr sampling time. The stimulatory effect of melatonin was dose-dependent over the range 5 to 500 ng/g body weight. Circulating GtH II levels in fish with fully developed gonads showed significant diurnal variation, with elevated levels during the dark phase. The GtH II secretion in response to stimulation by a LHRH analog (LHRHa) also varied during the day-night cycle, with the maximum levels during the early-dark phase. Interestingly, melatonin stimulated GtH II release during the late-light and early- and mid-dark phases. The increased gonadotropic response to melatonin preceded (late-light phase) or corresponded to the period of elevated circulating GtH II levels and increased responsiveness to stimulation by LHRHa during the dark phase, suggesting that melatonin may be involved in the control of daily GtH II cycles in this species. Melatonin inhibited LHRHa-induced GtH II release during the mid-dark phase of the day-night cycle in a dose-dependent manner; the physiological significance of this inhibitory influence is not understood at present. No significant effect of melatonin on basal or LHRHa-induced GtH II release was observed in regressed croaker. Melatonin injection (1 or 10 ng/g body weight) into the third ventricle in the preoptic anterior hypothalamic area (POAH) of croaker with fully developed gonads resulted in an elevation in plasma GtH II concentrations. In addition, a low concentration (0.2 ng/ml) of melatonin stimulated in vitro GtH II release from the pituitary fragments of fish with fully developed gonads. These results suggest that melatonin can influence GtH II secretion by acting at the level of POAH and also directly at the pituitary to stimulate GtH II release.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1998

[Function and expression of transcription factors implicated in gonadal differentiation].

Several transcription factors such as SRY, DAX-1, Ad4BP/SF-1, WT-1 and SOX -9, have been revealed to be implicated in gonadal development by analyzing the genetic disorders of human and the gene disrupted mice. All of these transcription factors are expressed in the early stage of the gonadal development and the expression profiles during the gonadal development are clearly different between the two sexes. Functions of the transcription factors are discussed by referring genes under the control of these factors. Effects of endocrine disruptants on the expression of Ad4BP/SF-1 in the fetal gonads was also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Absence of SOX3 in the developing marsupial gonad is not consistent with a conserved role in mammalian sex determination.

Expression of Sox3 has been detected in the testes of humans and of developing and adult mice at the same time as Sox9 and Sry. The co-expression of these three related Sox genes in the mouse indifferent gonadal ridge led to the hypothesis that these three genes, encoding transcription factors with similar DNA target binding sites, may interact with each other in initiating testis differentiation. The location of SOX3 on the marsupial Dunnart X chromosome also makes it a candidate for the marsupial X-linked gene responsible for the SRY- and hormone-independent initiation of scrotum or mammary gland development. Here we show that although marsupial SOX3 is highly conserved at the genetic level and appears to have a conserved role in CNS development, its expression during sexual differentiation differs from that of mice and humans. SOX3 expression is absent from the developing marsupial genital ridge and from the scrotal and mammary primordia during the critical time of differentiation and throughout the time that SRY is expressed. The absence of expression in the developing gonad strongly suggests that SOX3 does not have a conserved role in mammalian sexual determination or differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Gene expression of sex-determining factors and steroidogenic enzymes in the chicken embryo: influence of xenoestrogens.

Many genes involved in gonadal development have been proposed for mammals. To elucidate if those genes play any critical role in sexual differentiation of the avian gonad, we have examined expressions of the genes for proposed sex-determining factors (SF1, Sox9, DMRT1, Wpkci, and AMH), steroidogenic enzymes (P-450scc, 3beta-HSD, P-450c17, 17beta-HSD and aromatase) and the estrogen receptor in the urogenital system during chicken embryogenesis (days 4-16 of incubation), using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Transcripts of the genes for sex-determining factors except Wpkci and AMH were detected in both sexes but had no sexual dimorphism. Wpkci expression was female specific and constantly high throughout incubation. AMH was expressed in both sexes from the earliest stages but was higher in males than in females after the onset of gonadal differentiation. Expressions of the genes for more downstream enzymes in a steroidogenic pathway, such as P-450c17, 17beta-HSD and aromatase, were clearly higher in females than in males. In particular, 17beta-HSD expression increased in the course of gonadal development in females, whereas it was constantly low in males. Aromatase was highly expressed in females during gonadal differentiation but not in males over the period. In addition, to elucidate the relationship between gene activation during embryogenesis and reproductive abnormalities in wild birds, we examined expressions of these genes in embryos treated with various doses of diethylstilbestrol (DES), as a representative estrogenic compound. DES had no effect on the expressions of all the genes in either sex during the periods of gonadal differentiation (days 8, 12, and 16). Sexual dimorphism of the gene expression for steroidogenic enzymes appeared to be closely related to gonadal development in the chicken embryo, especially in the female. However, all the genes examined here seem unlikely to respond to xenoestrogens.

Animals↗