scholarly journals Sex Determination and Sex Differentiation

2021 ◽  
pp. 72-78
Author(s):  
G. B. Protyusha ◽  
Sivapathasundharam B.
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Defining Moment ◽  
Sexual Determination

Sex determination is arguably the most defining moment of our lives, the point where we inherit X or Y chromosome from our father. This initiates a cascade of events that sets in a train of morphological changes, genetic regulations and molecular mechanisms. Following this, our fate is further sealed during sex differentiation and gonadal development owing to the action of sex-specific gonadal hormones. Therefore, the profoundly divergent journeys of male and female lives are decided just by the toss of a genetic coin. The existence of a third gender is also an undeniable aspect of our society. The understanding of the functioning and genetic regulation of the complex process of sexual determination and differentiation is pivotal in comprehension of the basis of human life. Any deviation from the usual mechanisms in the critical stages of development leads to disorders of sexual differentiation leading to sexual ambiguity among individuals. This review discusses the mechanisms that contribute to female and male sex determination and gonadal development, in an attempt to understand the basics of human sex.

scholarly journals A First Insight into the Gonad Transcriptome of Hong Kong Catfish (Clarias fuscus)

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Xinghua Lin ◽  
Dayan Zhou ◽  
Xiaomin Zhang ◽  
Guangli Li ◽  
Yulei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Clarias Fuscus ◽  
Go Terms

Hong Kong catfish (Clarias fuscus) exhibit sexual dimorphism, particularly in body size. Due to the fast growth rate of males, the sexual size dimorphism of Hong Kong catfish has become an economically important trait. However, limited knowledge is known about the molecular mechanisms of sex determination and sex differentiation in this species. In this study, a first de novo transcriptome sequencing analysis of testes and ovaries was performed to identify sex-biased genes in Hong Kong catfish. The results showed that a total of 290,291 circular consensus sequences (CCSs) were obtained, from which 248,408 full-length non-chimeric (FLNC) reads were generated. After non-redundant analysis, a total of 37,305 unigenes were predicted, in which 34,342 unigenes were annotated with multiple public databases. Comparative transcriptomic analysis identified 5750 testis-biased differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 6991 ovary-biased DEGs. The enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were classified into 783 Gene Ontology (GO) terms and 16 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathways. Many DEGs were involved with sex-related GO terms and KEGG pathways, such as oocyte maturation, androgen secretion, gonadal development and steroid biosynthesis pathways. In addition, the expression levels of 23 unigenes were confirmed to validate the transcriptomic data by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). This is the first investigation into the transcriptome of Hong Kong catfish testes and ovaries. This study provides an important molecular basis for the sex determination and sex control breeding of Hong Kong catfish.

scholarly journals Transcriptomics analysis revealing candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation of Yesso scallop(Patinopecten yessoensis)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqing Zhou ◽  
Zhihong Liu ◽  
Yinghui Dong ◽  
Xiujun Sun ◽  
Biao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Patinopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Mizuhopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Yesso Scallop

Abstract Background:The Yesso scallop, Patinopecten (Mizuhopecten) yessoensis, is a commercially important bivalve in the coastal countries of Northeast Asia. It has complex modes of sex differentiation, but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying this sex determination and differentiation is limited. Results:In this study, the gonad tissues from females and males at three developmental stages were used to investigate candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation via RNA-Req. A total of 901,980,606 high quality clean reads were obtained from 18 libraries, of which 417 expressed male-specific genes and 754 expressed female-specific genes. Totally, 10,074 genes differentially expressed in females and males were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that turquoise and green gene modules were significantly positively correlated with male gonads, while coral1 and black modules were significantly associated with female gonads. The most important gene for sex determination and differentiation was Pydmrt1, which was the only gene discovered that determined the male sex phenotype during early gonadal differentiation. Enrichment analyses of GO terms and KEGG pathways revealed that genes involved in metabolism, genetic and environmental information processes or pathways are sex-biased. Forty-nine genes in the five modules involved in sex differentiation or determination were identified and selected to construct a gene co-expression network and a hypothesized sex differentiation pathway. Conclusions: The current study focused on screening genes of sex differentiation in Yesso scallop, highlighting the potential regulatory mechanisms of gonadal development in P. yessoensis. Our data suggested that WCGNA can facilitate identification of key genes for sex differentiation and determination. Using this method, a hypothesized P. yessoensis sex determination and differentiation pathway was constructed. In this pathway, Pydmrt1 may have a leading function.

scholarly journals Transcriptomics analysis revealing candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation of Yesso scallop(Patinopecten yessoensis)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqing Zhou ◽  
Zhihong Liu ◽  
Yinghui Dong ◽  
Xiujun Sun ◽  
Biao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Patinopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Mizuhopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Yesso Scallop

Abstract Background:The Yesso scallop, Patinopecten (Mizuhopecten) yessoensis, is a commercially important bivalve in the coastal countries of Northeast Asia. It has complex modes of sex differentiation, but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying this sex determination and differentiation is limited. Results:In this study, the gonad tissues from females and males at three developmental stages were used to investigate candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation via RNA-Req. A total of 901,980,606 high quality clean reads were obtained from 18 libraries, of which 417 expressed male-specific genes and 754 expressed female-specific genes. Totally, 10,074 genes differentially expressed in females and males were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that turquoise and green gene modules were significantly positively correlated with male gonads, while coral1 and black modules were significantly associated with female gonads. The most important gene for sex determination and differentiation was Pydmrt1, which was the only gene discovered that determined the male sex phenotype during early gonadal differentiation. Enrichment analyses of GO terms and KEGG pathways revealed that genes involved in metabolism, genetic and environmental information processes or pathways are sex-biased. Forty-nine genes in the five modules involved in sex differentiation or determination were identified and selected to construct a gene co-expression network and a hypothesized sex differentiation pathway. Conclusions: The current study focused on screening genes of sex differentiation in Yesso scallop, highlighting the potential regulatory mechanisms of gonadal development in P. yessoensis. Our data suggested that WCGNA can facilitate identification of key genes for sex differentiation and determination. Using this method, a hypothesized P. yessoensis sex determination and differentiation pathway was constructed. In this pathway, Pydmrt1 may have a leading function.

Sex Determination and Gonadal Development in Mammals

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagmar Wilhelm ◽  
Stephen Palmer ◽  
Peter Koopman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Gonadal Hormones ◽  
Ovary Development ◽  
Defining Moment ◽  
Coin Toss ◽  
Testis Development ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Organ Systems

Arguably the most defining moment in our lives is fertilization, the point at which we inherit either an X or a Y chromosome from our father. The profoundly different journeys of male and female life are thus decided by a genetic coin toss. These differences begin to unfold during fetal development, when the Y-chromosomal Sry (“sex-determining region Y”) gene is activated in males and acts as a switch that diverts the fate of the undifferentiated gonadal primordia, the genital ridges, towards testis development. This sex-determining event sets in train a cascade of morphological changes, gene regulation, and molecular interactions that directs the differentiation of male characteristics. If this does not occur, alternative molecular cascades and cellular events drive the genital ridges toward ovary development. Once testis or ovary differentiation has occurred, our sexual fate is further sealed through the action of sex-specific gonadal hormones. We review here the molecular and cellular events (differentiation, migration, proliferation, and communication) that distinguish testis and ovary during fetal development, and the changes in gene regulation that underpin these two alternate pathways. The growing body of knowledge relating to testis development, and the beginnings of a picture of ovary development, together illustrate the complex mechanisms by which these organ systems develop, inform the etiology, diagnosis, and management of disorders of sexual development, and help define what it is to be male or female.

scholarly journals Identification of genomic regions regulating sex determination in Atlantic salmon using high density SNP data

BMC Genomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Gabián ◽  
Paloma Morán ◽  
Ana I. Fernández ◽  
Beatriz Villanueva ◽  
Amel Chtioui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sexual Development ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Genome Wide Association ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Sexual Determination ◽  
Heritability Analysis ◽  
Candidate Regions

Abstract Background A complete understanding of the genetic basis for sexual determination and differentiation is necessary in order to implement efficient breeding schemes at early stages of development. Atlantic salmon belongs to the family Salmonidae of fishes and represents a species of great commercial value. Although the species is assumed to be male heterogametic with XY sex determination, the precise genetic basis of sexual development remains unclear. The complexity is likely associated to the relatively recent salmonid specific whole genome duplication that may be responsible for certain genome instability. This instability together with the capacity of the sex-determining gene to move across the genome as reported by previous studies, may explain that sexual development genes are not circumscribed to the same chromosomes in all members of the species. In this study, we have used a 220 K SNP panel developed for Atlantic salmon to identify the chromosomes explaining the highest proportion of the genetic variance for sex as well as candidate regions and genes associated to sexual development in this species. Results Results from regional heritability analysis showed that the chromosomes explaining the highest proportion of variance in these populations were Ssa02 (heritability = 0.42, SE = 0.12) and Ssa21 (heritability = 0.26, SE = 0.11). After pruning by linkage disequilibrium, genome-wide association analyses revealed 114 SNPs that were significantly associated with sex, being Ssa02 the chromosome containing a greatest number of regions. Close examination of the candidate regions evidenced important genes related to sex in other species of Class Actinopterygii, including SDY, genes from family SOX, RSPO1, ESR1, U2AF2A, LMO7, GNRH-R, DND and FIGLA. Conclusions The combined results from regional heritability analysis and genome-wide association have provided new advances in the knowledge of the genetic regulation of sex determination in Atlantic salmon, supporting that Ssa02 is the candidate chromosome for sex in this species and suggesting an alternative population lineage in Spanish wild populations according to the results from Ssa21.

scholarly journals Transcriptomics analysis revealing candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation of Yesso scallop(Patinopecten yessoensis)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqing Zhou ◽  
Zhihong Liu ◽  
Yinghui Dong ◽  
Xiujun Sun ◽  
Biao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Patinopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Mizuhopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Yesso Scallop

Abstract Background:The Yesso scallop, Patinopecten (Mizuhopecten) yessoensis, is a commercially important bivalve in the coastal countries of Northeast Asia. It has complex modes of sex differentiation, but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying this sex determination and differentiation is limited. Results:In this study, the gonad tissues from females and males at three developmental stages were used to investigate candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation via RNA-Req. A total of 901,980,606 high quality clean reads were obtained from 18 libraries, of which 417 expressed male-specific genes and 754 expressed female-specific genes. Totally, 10,074 genes differentially expressed in females and males were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that turquoise and green gene modules were significantly positively correlated with male gonads, while coral1 and black modules were significantly associated with female gonads. The most important gene for sex determination and differentiation was Pydmrt1, which was the only gene discovered that determined the male sex phenotype during early gonadal differentiation. Enrichment analyses of GO terms and KEGG pathways revealed that genes involved in metabolism, genetic and environmental information processes or pathways are sex-biased. Forty-nine genes in the five modules involved in sex differentiation or determination were identified and selected to construct a gene co-expression network and a hypothesized sex differentiation pathway. Conclusions: The current study focused on screening genes of sex differentiation in Yesso scallop, highlighting the potential regulatory mechanisms of gonadal development in P. yessoensis. Our data suggested that WCGNA can facilitate identification of key genes for sex differentiation and determination. Using this method, a hypothesized P. yessoensis sex determination and differentiation pathway was constructed. In this pathway, Pydmrt1 may have a leading function.

scholarly journals Cortisol Is Involved in Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in the Japanese Flounder

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (8) ◽  
pp. 3900-3908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiya Yamaguchi ◽  
Norifumi Yoshinaga ◽  
Takashi Yazawa ◽  
Koichiro Gen ◽  
Takeshi Kitano
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Paralichthys Olivaceus ◽  
High Water ◽  
Japanese Flounder ◽  
High Water Temperature ◽  
Temperature Dependent

In vertebrates, sex is normally determined by genotype. However, in poikilothermal vertebrates, including reptiles, amphibians, and fishes, sex determination is greatly influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental sex determination in these species. The Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a teleost fish with an XX/XY sex determination system. However, XX flounder can be induced to develop into predominantly either phenotypic females or males, by rearing at 18 or 27 C, respectively, during the sex differentiation period. Therefore, the flounder provides an excellent model to study the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent sex determination. We previously showed that an aromatase inhibitor, an antiestrogen, and 27 C treatments cause masculinization of XX flounder, as well as suppression of mRNA expression of ovary-type aromatase (cyp19a1), a steroidogenic enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens to estrogens in the gonads. Furthermore, estrogen administration completely inhibits masculinization by these treatments, suggesting suppression of cyp19a1 mRNA expression, and the resultant estrogen biosynthesis may trigger masculinization of the XX flounder induced by high water temperature. Here, we demonstrated that cortisol causes female-to-male sex reversal by directly suppressing cyp19a1 mRNA expression via interference with cAMP-mediated activation and that metyrapone (an inhibitor of cortisol synthesis) inhibits 27 C-induced masculinization of XX flounder. Moreover, cortisol concentrations in 27 C-reared juveniles were significantly higher than in 18 C-reared fishes during sexual differentiation. These results strongly suggest that masculinization by high water temperature is ascribable to elevation of cortisol concentration during gonadal sex differentiation in the flounder.

scholarly journals Anatomy and RNA-Seq reveal important gene pathways regulating sex differentiation in a functionally Androdioecious tree, Tapiscia sinensis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Liang Xin ◽  
Jia-Qian Liu ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Xiao-Long Ren ◽  
Xiao-Min Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Female Sterility ◽  
Gynoecium Development

Abstract Background Gametogenesis is a key step in the production of ovules or pollen in higher plants. The sex-determination aspects of gametogenesis have been well characterized in the model plant Arabidopsis. However, little is known about this process in androdioecious plants. Tapiscia sinensis Oliv. is a functionally androdioecious tree, with both male and hermaphroditic individuals. Hermaphroditic flowers (HFs) are female-fertile flowers that can produce functional pollen and set fruits. However, compared with male flowers (MFs), the pollen viability and number of pollen grains per flower are markedly reduced in HFs. MFs are female-sterile flowers that fail to set fruit and that eventually drop. Results Compared with HF, a notable cause of MF female sterility in T. sinensis is when the early gynoecium meristem is disrupted. During the early stage of HF development (stage 6), the ring meristem begins to form as a ridge around the center of the flower. At this stage, the internal fourth-whorl organ is stem-like rather than carpelloid in MF. A total of 52,945 unigenes were identified as transcribed in MF and HF. A number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolic pathways were detected as involved in the development of the gynoecium, especially the ovule, carpel and style. At the early gynoecium development stage, DEGs were shown to function in the metabolic pathways regulating ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction (upstream regulator), auxin, cytokinin transport and signalling, and sex determination (or flower meristem identity). Conclusions Pathways for the female sterility model were initially proposed to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of gynoecium development at early stages in T. sinensis.

scholarly journals Transcriptomics analysis revealing candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation of Yesso scallop(Patinopecten yessoensis)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqing Zhou ◽  
Zhihong Liu ◽  
Yinghui Dong ◽  
Xiujun Sun ◽  
Biao Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Northeast Asia ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Patinopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Mizuhopecten Yessoensis ◽  
Kegg Pathways ◽  
Yesso Scallop

Abstract Background:The Yesso scallop, Patinopecten (Mizuhopecten) yessoensis, is a commercially important bivalve in the coastal countries of Northeast Asia. It has complex modes of sex differentiation, but knowledge of the mechanisms underlying this sex determination and differentiation is limited. Results:In this study, the gonad tissues from females and males at three developmental stages were used to investigate candidate genes and networks for sex differentiation via RNA-Req. A total of 901,980,606 high quality clean reads were obtained from 18 libraries, of which 417 expressed male-specific genes and 754 expressed female-specific genes. Totally, 10,074 genes differentially expressed in females and males were identified. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that turquoise and green gene modules were significantly positively correlated with male gonads, while coral1 and black modules were significantly associated with female gonads. The most important gene for sex determination and differentiation was Pydmrt1, which was the only gene discovered that determined the male sex phenotype during early gonadal differentiation. Enrichment analyses of GO terms and KEGG pathways revealed that genes involved in metabolism, genetic and environmental information processes or pathways are sex-biased. Forty-nine genes in the five modules involved in sex differentiation or determination were identified and selected to construct a gene co-expression network and a hypothesized sex differentiation pathway. Conclusions: The current study focused on screening genes of sex differentiation in Yesso scallop, highlighting the potential regulatory mechanisms of gonadal development in P. yessoensis. Our data suggested that WCGNA can facilitate identification of key genes for sex differentiation and determination. Using this method, a hypothesized P. yessoensis sex determination and differentiation pathway was constructed. In this pathway, Pydmrt1 may have a leading function.

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