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PubMed2006

Comparative gene expression analysis of fruiting body development in two filamentous fungi.

The ascomycete Pyronema confluens is a member of the Pezizales and readily forms fruiting bodies under laboratory conditions. Here, we report the first molecular analysis of fruiting body development in this filamentous fungus. Two P. confluens cDNA libraries were generated, one derived from mycelium undergoing sexual development, and the other from vegetative mycelium. From each library, 96 clones were end-sequenced, resulting in the identification of 132 different genes. Expression studies of 10 P. confluens genes by quantitative real-time PCR identified seven genes that are transcriptionally up- or down regulated during sexual development when compared with vegetative growth. As a first step towards a comparison of gene expression during fruiting body development in different filamentous fungi, transcript levels of the corresponding homologs from the distantly related ascomycete Sordaria macrospora were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The analyses revealed similar expression patterns during sexual development for several of the S. macrospora genes when compared with P. confluens.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed1999

Female development in mammals is regulated by Wnt-4 signalling.

In the mammalian embryo, both sexes are initially morphologically indistinguishable: specific hormones are required for sex-specific development. Mullerian inhibiting substance and testosterone secreted by the differentiating embryonic testes result in the loss of female (Mullerian) or promotion of male (Wolffian) reproductive duct development, respectively. The signalling molecule Wnt-4 is crucial for female sexual development. At birth, sexual development in males with a mutation in Wnt-4 appears to be normal; however, Wnt-4-mutant females are masculinized-the Mullerian duct is absent while the Wolffian duct continues to develop. Wnt-4 is initially required in both sexes for formation of the Mullerian duct, then Wnt-4 in the developing ovary appears to suppress the development of Leydig cells; consequently, Wnt-4-mutant females ectopically activate testosterone biosynthesis. Wnt-4 may also be required for maintenance of the female germ line. Thus, the establishment of sexual dimorphism is under the control of both local and systemic signals.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Sexual maturity in British breeds of goat kids.

Eight male kids of British Sannen and one each of the British Alpine and British Toggenberg breed, born between the last week of February and first week of March 1990, were used. From the age of 12 weeks, they were monitored every week for body and testicular growth and sexual development, until they attained sexual maturity. The development of the sexual behaviour was a gradual process. From 12 weeks of age, the body weight increased at a constant rate. Testicular development, however, showed a biphasic pattern; the testis size increased rapidly between 12 and 20 weeks of age and was followed by a period of slow growth. Sexual maturity occurred at a mean age of 172.7 +/- 4.47 days, and at a mean body weight of 31.25 +/- 1.50 kg when the mean values of scrotal circumference, testis diameter and paired testes width were 24.13 +/- 0.47 mm, 54.01 +/- 1.26 mm and 88.31 +/- 1.61 mm, respectively. In most kids, the quality of the first ejaculate was good, although it varied widely between animals. It appeared that sexual maturity in British goat kids occurs at a younger age than in different breeds in other parts of the world that have been reported in the literature.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development of sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 1993. New methods, recommendations, and research priorities. STD Treatment Guidelines Project Team and Consultants.

To develop the 1993 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed the literature on sexually transmitted disease treatment, assembled tables of evidence, and listed key questions on therapeutic outcome: microbiologic cure, alleviation of symptoms, and prevention of sequelae and transmission. At a meeting with external experts, evidence was systematically assessed and guidelines developed. Quality of evidence for microbiologic cure was generally good for gonorrhea and chlamydia, poor for syphilis, and fair for most other diseases. Evidence on preventing sequelae and transmission was limited. The Guidelines include new recommendations for single-dose oral therapy of gonorrhea (cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin), chlamydia (azithromycin), and chancroid (azithromycin); outpatient therapy of pelvic inflammatory disease (ofloxacin and either clindamycin or metronidazole); and patient-applied therapy of genital warts (podofilox). Syphilis therapy did not change substantially. Several global issues that emerged during the development of the World Health Organization Recommendations for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases also are discussed. This evidence-based approach clarified important treatment issues and the rationale for recommendations, and identified research priorities.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1975

Hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome.

Sexual development was evaluated in 9 female and 2 male subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome. The process of sexual development and degree of genital development attained were found to be variable but abnormal in all subjects. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal functions were evaluated by measurement of serum Luteinizing Hormone and plasma testosterone responses to stimulation by clomiphene citrate and plasma testosterone responses to stimulation by human chorionic gonadotrophin. The degree of vaginal estrogenization was variable. The testicular biopsies showed abnormalities mainly in the germinal epithelium. In agreement with previous studies, it was concluded that the abnormalities of sexual development in this syndrome are mainly due to a defect in the hypothalamic pituitary axis. Adrenal function was not found to be grossly abnormal. The 17 ketosteroid excretion values were low, probably explaining the rather sparse pubic and axillary hair observed in these patients. The urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroid creatinine ratios were found to be elevated, probably due to decreased creatinine excretion, reflecting the muscular abnormalities of these subjects.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed2004

Factors influencing parental decision making in prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors influencing parental decisions toward continuing or terminating a pregnancy with prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients with fetuses with sex chromosome aneuploidy between 1990 and 2001. A questionnaire survey of women who chose to terminate such pregnancies was designed to examine aspects of their decision-making process. RESULTS: Forty-nine of 89 pregnancies with sex chromosome aneuploidy were terminated (termination rate 0.55; 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.65). Pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings (14/16, 87%), with 45,X or 47,XXY karyotypes (26/36, 72%), and with nonmosaic karyotypes (30/48, 63%) were terminated significantly more often than pregnancies with normal ultrasound findings (35/73, 48%; P <.01), with 47,XXX or 47,XYY karyotypes (4/12, 33%; P <.05), and with mosaic karyotypes (5/25, 20%; P =.01). There was a trend (P =.136) toward a lower rate of termination from 67% to 36% across time, with a significant decrease from 67% to 7% in pregnancies with 47,XXX; 47,XYY; and mosaic karyotypes (P <.01), and no change in cases with 45,X and 47,XXY karyotypes (67% compared with 69%; P = 1.0). Abnormal sexual development and infertility were the greatest parental concerns related to termination. CONCLUSION: Fear of having a child with abnormal sexual development or infertility remains the major determinant of parental decision toward terminating pregnancy, resulting in consistently high termination rates across time in pregnancies with 45,X and 47,XXY karyotypes. In cases with 47,XXX; 47,XYY; and mosaic karyotypes, the declining termination rate across time is a consequence of recent studies reporting normal sexual development and fertility.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2000

Summary of the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who are sexually abusive of others. American Adademy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

This summary provides an overview of the assessment and treatment recommendations contained in the Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents Who are Sexually Abusive of Others. The parameters were written to aid clinicians in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with symptoms of sexually abusive behavior. The assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with sexually abusive behavior requires an understanding of normal sexual development. A multiplicity of biological and psychosocial factors determines the child's sexual development, gender role, sexual orientation, patterns of sexual arousal, sexual cognitions, sexual socialization, and the integration of sexual and aggressive patterns of behavior. The individual's sexuality evolves in concert and as a result of interaction with family, ethnic, social, and cultural influences. These parameters summarize what we know about the epidemiology and phenomenology of sexually abusive youths and provide guidelines for the assessment and the selection of treatment interventions for these youths. Essential considerations in the assessment and treatment of sexually abusive youths, as well as the different categories of sexually abusive youths which should be recognized and which influence treatment decisions, are presented. The spectrum of currently available psychosocial and biological treatments will be summarized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The spectrum of abnormal patterns of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: clinical and laboratory correlations.

Several lines of evidence indicate that hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal activity varies among men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). To test the hypothesis that a spectrum of abnormalities of GnRH secretion underlies the syndrome of IHH, we characterized the patterns of GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion during periods of frequent sampling in 50 consecutive men with IHH and contrasted them with those in 20 normal men. The largest group of IHH patients (n = 42) had no detectable LH or FSH pulsations and could be categorized into 2 subsets according to the presence or absence of evidence of spontaneous puberty. The most severely affected subset (n = 32), who recalled no history of puberty, had testes with a mean volume of 3.3 +/- 0.5 (+/- SEM) ml, with a prepubertal appearance on biopsy, and often were anosmic (n = 17). The second subset of apulsatile IHH men (n = 10) had histories of partial or complete spontaneous sexual development with subsequent isolated loss of sexual function, testes with a mean volume of 13.3 +/- 1.9 ml (P less than 0.01 compared to the first subset), a pubertal or adult appearance of the testes on biopsy, and an intact sense of smell. In a second group of IHH patients (n = 3), LH was secreted predominantly in a nighttime pattern similar to that of normal children during early puberty. These men were aged 18-24 yr, had a mean testicular volume of 10.5 +/- 2.3 ml, pubertal changes on testicular biopsy, and an intact sense of smell. A third group of IHH men (n = 4) had LH pulses of abnormally low amplitude. Only one patient in this group had a history of spontaneous sexual development. The mean testicular volume of these patients was 5.6 +/- 1.9 ml, and the testes appeared prepubertal (n = 3) or pubertal (n = 1) on biopsy. In addition to these groups, another patient had apparent LH pulsations and nearly normal amplitude, but the LH was bioinactive and appeared to consist chiefly of alpha-subunit. Testing of other anterior pituitary hormone functions did not distinguish IHH men from normal men. However, those IHH patients with some evidence of endogenous GnRH secretion had higher basal and stimulated serum PRL levels than IHH men without such evidence (P less than 0.05), suggesting an influence of GnRH on PRL secretion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Differential effects of neonatal castration on the development of sexually dimorphic brain areas in the gerbil.

We compared the effects of neonatal castration within 6 h of birth in the Mongolian gerbil on the development of the sexually dimorphic area pars compacta (SDApc) and supraschiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Development of these brain areas was also related to a masculine courtship ultrasonic vocalization, the frequency-modulated upsweep. Castration immediately after birth resulted in differential effects with complete or partial reduction of SCN and SDApc volumes, respectively, as compared to male values. The rates of ultrasonic calling of males castrated as neonates were also decreased to female levels. In sham-operated males, calling rates were positively correlated with the volume of the left SDApc, but not the right. Both the left and the right SDApc volumes were correlated with calling rates in males castrated as neonates. The asymmetric relationship between vocal behavior and area volume was specific to the SDApc. We suggest that in the neonate (a) the sensitivity of the SDApc to the differentiating effects of androgens differs from the SCN and (b) the asymmetric link between brain structure and vocal behavior depends on the effects of androgen within 6 h of birth.

Aging↗
PubMed2006

Microarray analysis of transcript accumulation during perithecium development in the filamentous fungus Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum).

Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum) is the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat and barley in the United States. Ascospores forcibly discharged from mature fruiting bodies, the perithecia, serve as the primary inoculum for FHB epidemics. To identify genes important for perithecium development and function, a cDNA microarray that covered 11% of the G. zeae genome was constructed. The microarray was used to measure changes in transcription levels of genes expressed during three successive stages of perithecium development. When compared with vegetative mycelia, 651 (31%) cDNA clones showed changes in transcript levels in at least one of the three developmental stages. During perithecium development, 263 (13%) cDNA clones showed temporal changes in transcript profiles. Transcripts that showed the greatest changes in levels in maturing perithecia belonged to genes in the FunCat main functional categories of cell rescue, metabolism, cell type differentiation, energy, and cellular transport. For genes related to metabolism and cell type differentiation, transcripts showed the highest levels in immature perithecia, whereas for cellular transport-related genes, transcripts showed the highest levels in mature perithecia. This study represents the first large-scale investigation of both spatial and temporal changes in transcript levels during perithecium development. It provides clear evidence that the sexual development in fungi is a complex, multigenic process and identifies genes involved in sexual development of this agriculturally important fungus.

Expressed Sequence Tags↗
PubMed2006

Additional evidence for the genomic imprinting model of sex determination in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis: isolation of biparental diploid males after X-ray mutagenesis.

The primary sex-determining signal in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis is not known. In haplodiploid reproduction, unfertilized eggs typically develop into uniparental haploid males and fertilized eggs into biparental diploid females. Although this reproductive strategy is common to all Hymenoptera, sex-determination is not strictly specified by the number of genome copies inherited. Furthermore, primary sex-determining signals differ among haplodiploid species. In the honeybee, for example, the primary signal is the genotype at a single, polymorphic locus: diploid animals that are homozygous develop into males while heterozygotes develop into females. Sex determination in Nasonia cannot be explained by this mechanism. Various lines of evidence show that the inheritance of a paternal genome is required for female sexual development and suggest a genomic imprinting mechanism involving an imprinted gene, expressed only from a paternal copy, that triggers female sexual development. In this model, haploid or diploid uniparental embryos develop into males due to a maternal imprint that silences this locus. The genomic imprinting model predicts that a loss-of-function mutation in the paternal copy of the imprinted gene would result in male sexual development in a biparental diploid embryo. In support of this model, we have identified rare biparental diploid males in the F1 progeny of X-ray mutagenized haploid males. Although uniparental diploid male progeny of virgin triploid females have been previously described, this is the first report of biparental diploid males in Nasonia. Our work provides a new, independent line of evidence for the genomic imprinting model of Nasonia sex determination.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Sexually dimorphic expression of multiple doublesex-related genes in the embryonic mouse gonad.

The only molecular similarity shown so far for sexual regulatory genes among different phyla involves doublesex (dsx) of Drosophila, mab-3 and mab-23 of Caenorhabditis elegans, and Dmrt1 of vertebrates. These genes encode DM domain transcription factors (DM = dsx and mab-3) and are required for sexual differentiation. In the case of dsx and mab-3, the two genes control analogous aspects of sexual development, bind similar DNA sequences, and are capable of functional substitution in vivo. All three phyla have multiple DM domain genes, but it is unknown how many of these are involved in sexual development. Mammals, for example, have at least seven DM domain genes, but embryonic expression has only been examined in detail for Dmrt1(dsx- and mab-3 related transcription factor 1). We have identified additional murine DM domain genes and have examined their expression in the mouse embryo, with emphasis on the developing gonad. At least three murine DM domain genes in addition to Dmrt1 are expressed in the embryonic gonad: Dmrt4 is expressed at similar levels in gonads of both sexes; Dmrt3 is more highly expressed in males; and Dmrt7 is more highly expressed in females. Expression of three other genes is low or absent in the embryonic gonad. Two of these, Dmrt5 and Dmrt6, are expressed primarily in the brain, and the third, Dmrt2, is expressed in presomitic mesoderm and developing somites. Our data suggest that multiple DM domain genes may be involved in mammalian sexual development, and that they may function in both testis and ovary development.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Development of sexual orientation among adolescent and young adult women.

Although some research suggests that sexual orientation is a stable, early appearing trait, interviews with 89 young sexual-minority women revealed that a majority of women failed to report at least one of the following: childhood indicators of sexual orientation, stability in same-sex attractions, or awareness of same-sex attractions prior to the conscious process of sexual questioning. Lesbians were not more likely to report these experiences than bisexuals, although they reported significantly greater same-sex attractions. Consistent with studies on older cohorts, few young women reported exclusive same-sex attractions. These findings suggest that recollected consistency among prior and current behavior, ideation, and attractions are not systematically associated with sexual orientation among contemporary young women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effects of castration and sex steroids on sexually dimorphic development of the mouse submandibular gland.

The aims of this study were to characterize sexual dimorphism in the submandibular glands of young adult mice and to determine how sex differences arise during postnatal development. In the mouse submandibular glands, prominent sexual dimorphism was observed at 30 days of age, when the male gland was superior in both the relative occupied area (ROA) and the mitotic rate of the granular convoluted tubules (GCT) to those of the female. By neonatal castration, this sexual dimorphism was abolished, and the intraglandular structures of castrated males were similar to those of normal females. In castrated mice of both sexes, daily treatment with testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone for 10 days from 20 days induced only the ROA of the GCT to increase to the normal male levels but not those of the other three regions of the glands, the acini, intercalated ducts and excretory striated ducts. Testosterone responsiveness of the glands, considering both the glandular weight gain and the mitotic rate of the GCT, was significantly higher in castrated males than in castrated females. On the other hand, 17 beta-estradiol had no effect on the glands of castrated mice. Therefore, the present study suggests that the testicular hormones are responsible for the masculine development of GCT of the glands, but not the ovarian hormones, and that there is a sex difference in the responsiveness of the glands to testosterone, which is more effective in males than in females.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Sexual outlets among homosexually oriented medical students as compare to heterosexuals.

Sexual outlet of the homosexuals was rarely studied, any information obtained could give more understanding about their sexual development. This study aimed at exploring some sexual outlets among homosexually oriented medical students at Ramathibodi Hospital compared with the heterosexuals. Ninety per cent of male students and 85.71 per cent of female students voluntarily answered the questionnaires during the academic year 1982-1988. No difference was observed in the proportion of homosexuals and heterosexuals of both sexes. Most of the homosexuals were bisexual with predominant heterosexual feelings. Homosexual males performed similar sexual activities as heterosexuals. However, more homosexual males engaged in homosexual contact than heterosexual males while the proportion of engagement in heterosexual intercourse did not differ between these two groups. Among the females, solitary sexual activity occurred in the same proportion between both groups. These findings indicated the similarity in sexual development among the homosexuals and the heterosexuals of each sex but there was a certain difference in learning experience.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Development of sexual partner preference in the zebra finch: a socially monogamous, pair-bonding animal.

Zebra finches are group living socially monogamous birds that pair for life. Partner preference is strongly sexually differentiated: males prefer to pair with females and females prefer to pair with males. Where do these preferences come from? What occurs during development that produces adult birds that pair with the opposite sex? There is surprisingly little animal research that addresses such questions, especially in species that form pair-bonds. Our research program focuses on two processes that may be involved in the development of adult sexual-partner preference: (1) early (possibly organizational) hormone actions and (2) social experience. Females treated with estradiol or fadrozole (an estrogen synthesis inhibitor) as nestlings or embryos showed masculinized sexual-partner preference as adults, preferring to pair with other females even when potential male partners were available. Removal of adult males from breeding cages, so that young birds were not exposed to males or to male-female pairs during development, eliminated sex-typical partner preferences; these birds were equally interested in both sexes and were more likely than controls to pair with a same-sex partner. These experiments provide insights into the development of sexual-partner preference that may be applicable to other group living pair-bonding animals with biparental care. They also contribute to the foundation of animal research that is necessary for a biological approach to understanding the pair-bonding component of human sexual orientation.

Animals↗