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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
09:34
Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
Published on: August 22, 2013
Sexual dimorphism in non-Mendelian inheritance
Alexandre Vigé1, Catherine Gallou-Kabani, Claudine Junien
1Inserm U781 Genetics and Epigenetics of Metabolic Diseases, Neurosensorial Diseases and Development, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Université Paris Deseartes, Paris, France.
Pediatric Research
|March 22, 2008
Summary
Nongenetic inheritance shows sex differences in transmission and effects. Environmental factors can epigenetically alter sex-specific gene expression, influencing disease risk differently between sexes.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Accumulating evidence supports nongenetic transgenerational inheritance.
- Significant sexual dimorphism is observed in inheritance modes and effects.
- Sex-specific developmental pathways and lifelong hormonal influences contribute to sex-biased diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of sex-specific epigenetic modifications in transgenerational inheritance.
- To highlight the impact of environmental factors on sex-specific gene expression and disease risk.
- To emphasize the importance of studying both sexes in research and interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nongenetic transgenerational inheritance.
- Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications.
- Examination of sex-specific gene expression regulation during development and throughout life.
Main Results:
- Environmental and nutritional factors can induce sex-specific epigenetic changes.
- These epigenetic alterations can affect sex-specific gene expression, influencing disease susceptibility.
- Sex-specific developmental windows and hormonal influences increase sensitivity to environmental challenges.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in sex-specific transgenerational inheritance.
- Studying both sexes is essential for understanding disease etiology and developing effective interventions.
- Future research should focus on sex-specific responses to environmental factors in epidemiological and experimental studies.
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Overview
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In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
01:19X-linked Traits
In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
01:43Incomplete Dominance
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