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Does sex determination start at conception?

R P Erickson1

  • 1Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, Dept of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724-5073, USA.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|December 12, 1997
PubMed
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Mammalian sex determination may begin earlier than previously thought, shortly after conception. Evidence suggests preimplantation embryos show sex-linked growth differences and gene expression, challenging the Jost principle.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Mammalian sex determination traditionally focuses on gonadal ridge development post-sexual dimorphism (Jost principle).
  • Recent findings suggest earlier sex determination events.
  • Preimplantation development is a critical window for understanding sex determination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence suggesting mammalian sex determination initiates shortly after conception.
  • To explore the role of preimplantation gene expression in sex determination.
  • To discuss potential mechanisms and interspecies similarities in early sex determination.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing molecular and genetic data on mammalian preimplantation embryos.
  • Analysis of gene transcription patterns (SRY/Sry, ZFY/Zfy, Smcy) in early embryos.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of antigenic differences between male and female preimplantation embryos.

    • Main Results:

    • XY preimplantation embryos exhibit faster development ('Growth factor Y'), linked to the Y chromosome.
    • Key sex determination genes (SRY/Sry) are transcribed in preimplantation embryos.
    • Male and female preimplantation embryos display distinct antigenic profiles, indicating differential gene expression.

    Conclusions:

    • Sex determination in mammals may commence prior to gonadal differentiation, during the preimplantation stage.
    • Early embryonic gene expression and growth patterns are crucial for mammalian sex determination.
    • The Jost principle may not fully encompass the initiation of mammalian sex determination; early events warrant further investigation.