ISSN:
1040-452X
Keywords:
Embryonic development
;
Mammal
;
Sex determination
;
Gene expression
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
The testis-determining factor in the mouse is encoded by the Sry gene on the Y chromosome. Transcripts of this gene have been shown previously to be present in the genital ridge at the beginning of gonadal differentiation (11.5 days post coitum) and in adult testis. In this study, RNA transcripts of the Sry gene are also detected in male blastocyst-stage embryos (3.5 days post coitum) at approximately 40-100 copies per cell, long before overt sex differentiation. These results indicate that preimplantation mouse embryos have sexually dimorphic gene expression at least with respect to Sry transcripts. In addition, at least some of the Sry RNA transcripts in blastocysts are circular, as has been reported for Sry transcripts from adult testis. The appearance of Sry transcripts in blastocysts at this level raises the possibility that sex determination begins earlier during embryonic development than previously thought. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1080400208
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