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The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...

Dosage Compensation

Dosage Compensation

In animals, gender is determined by the number and type of sex chromosome. For example, human females have two X chromosomes, and males have one X and one Y chromosome, whereas C.elegans with one X chromosome is a male, and the one with two X chromosomes is a hermaphrodite.
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...

X and Y Chromosomes

X and Y Chromosomes

Among mammals, the gender of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes. Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y. Every human diploid cell has 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. A human female has two X chromosomes, while a male has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...

Sex-linked Disorders

Sex-linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

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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”.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Assessment of Sexual Behavior of Male Mice

Published on: March 5, 2020

Sex chromosome complement affects social interactions in mice.

Anika A McPhie-Lalmansingh¹, Lucia D Tejada, Jessica L Weaver

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.

Hormones and Behavior

|July 2, 2008

Summary

Sex chromosome complement influences mouse social behaviors independently of gonadal sex. These findings highlight the role of chromosomes in shaping social interaction styles, even without typical hormonal differences.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Genetics
Endocrinology

Background:

Sex differences in behavior are often linked to steroid hormones.
However, sex chromosome complement can also influence behavior independently of gonadal differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of sex chromosome complement on behavior, independent of gonadal sex.
To analyze social interaction styles in mice with dissociated sex chromosome complement and gonadal differentiation.

Main Methods:

Utilized mice with a spontaneous Sry gene mutation and an autosomal Sry transgene to disassociate gonad differentiation from sex chromosome complement.
Generated genotypes: XX and XY(-) females (ovary-bearing), XXSry and XY(-)Sry males (testes-bearing).
Conducted behavioral phenotyping including motor coordination, olfactory cue use, activity, foot shock threshold, elevated plus maze, active avoidance learning, and social interaction tests in gonadectomized adults.

Main Results:

Motor coordination, olfactory cue use, general activity, foot shock threshold, and elevated plus maze behavior were unaffected by gonadal sex or sex chromosome complement.
Females showed faster escape from electric shock than males in an active avoidance learning task.
Sex chromosome complement influenced social interactions: XY(-) females followed intruders faster than XX females.
XY(-) mice exhibited increased sniffing and grooming of intruders compared to XX mice, with XY(-) females showing the most engagement.
XX females displayed more digging behavior than XXSry males.

Conclusions:

Sex chromosome complement significantly affects social interaction styles in mice, independent of gonadal sex and steroid hormones.
These findings demonstrate a direct role for sex chromosomes in modulating specific social behaviors.