Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Primary genetic control of somatic sexual differentiation in a mammal

Abstract

The classical view of mammalian sexual differentiation is that a gene on the Y chromosome transforms the indifferent gonad into a testis1. The Leydig cells then secrete androgen which stimulates the development of the male reproductive tract, and the Sertoli cells secrete Mullerian inhibitory substance which inhibits the development of the female reproductive tract2,3. In the absence of a testis, the Mullerian duct develops into the Fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina. Thus the whole of sexual differentiation is thought to be hormonally mediated as a consequence of this initial genetic determination of gonadal sex. We have found evidence in a marsupial mammal for extensive sexual dimorphisms which precede any morphological differentiation of the gonads. Thus the classical view of mammalian sexual differentiation may have over-emphasized the role of testicular hormones, and overlooked earlier genetic effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ohno, S. Sex Chromosomes and Sex-linked Genes (Springer, Berlin, 1967).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Jost, A. Archs Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 36, 271–315 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jost, A., Vigier, B., Prepin, J. & Perchellet, J. P. Recent Prog. Horm. Res. 29, 1–35 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H. & Renfree, M. B. Reproductive Physiology of Marsupials (Cambridge University Press, 1987).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  5. Evans, E. P., Burtenshaw, M. D. & Ford, C. E. Stain Technol. 47, 229–234 (1972).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Aherne, W. A. & Dunnill M. S. Morphometry (Arnold, London, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Picon, R. Archs. Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 74, 81–86 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Raeside, J. I. Archs. Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 74, 87–90 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Pelliniemi, L. J. Archs. Anat. microsc. Morph. exp. 74, 76–80 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Renfree, M. B., Short, R. V. & Shaw, G. in Genetic Markers of Sex Differentiation (ed. Haseltine, F.) 1–15 (Plenum, New York, 1987).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fadem, B. H. & Tesoriero, J. V. Biol. Reprod. 34, 711–776 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wilson, J. D., George, F. W. & Griffin, J. E. Science 211, 1278–1284 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kratochwil, K. Devl Biol. 61, 358–365 (1977).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Tsunoda, Y., Tokunaga, T. & Sugie, T. Gamete Res. 12, 301–304 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Sellar, M. J. & Perkin-Cole, K. J. J. Reprod. Fert. 79, 159–161 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Scott, W. J. & Holsen, J. F. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 40, 259–263 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

O., WS., Short, R., Renfree, M. et al. Primary genetic control of somatic sexual differentiation in a mammal. Nature 331, 716–717 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/331716a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/331716a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing