环境决定爬行动物性别研究的进展

爬行动物的性别决定机制有两种,一种是由环境决定性别,另一种是异型性染色体决定性别。前者,在爬行动物中具有普遍性;未发现有异型性染色体的爬行动物,其性别由环境因子决定。剧烈的环境条件,可能压倒基因型性别决定。H-Y抗原,可检测未发现异型性染色体决定性别物种的遗传决定型。

PROGRESSES OF STUDIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL SEX DETERMINATION IN REPTILES

1. Two sex determining mechanisms in reptiles have been observed;(l) the heteromorphic sex chromosomes or heterogametic sex detrminaton,and(2)the environmental sex determination.2. The sex chromosomes are common in snakes and some lizards,.but apparently rare in turtles and absent in corocodilians and the tuatara.3. The environmental sex determination is common in turtles and has been reported with three lizards and alligators.4. Certain extreme environment conditios of affect the phenotype of heterogametic sex determination in reptiles.5. The H-Y antigen is expressed only in the heterogametic sex.Therefore, H-Y antigen could be available tool in determining the heterogametic sex in reptiles.