Sex-chromosome differentiation and ‘sex races’ in the common frog (Rana temporaria)

Sex-chromosome differentiation was recently shown to vary among common frog populations in Fennoscandia, suggesting a trend of increased differentiation with latitude. By rearing families from two contrasted populations (respectively, from northern and southern Sweden), we show this disparity to stem from differences in sex-determination mechanisms rather than in XY-recombination patterns. Offspring from the northern population display equal sex ratios at metamorphosis, with phenotypic sexes that correlate strongly with paternal LG₂ haplotypes (the sex chromosome); accordingly, Y haplotypes are markedly differentiated, with male-specific alleles and depressed diversity testifying to their smaller effective population size. In the southern population, by contrast, a majority of juveniles present ovaries at metamorphosis; only later in development do sex ratios return to equilibrium. Even at these later stages, phenotypic sexes correlate only mildly with paternal LG₂ haplotypes; accordingly, there are no recognizable Y haplotypes. These distinct patterns of gonadal development fit the concept of ‘sex races’ proposed in the 1930s, with our two populations assigned to the ‘differentiated’ and ‘semi-differentiated’ races, respectively. Our results support the suggestion that ‘sex races’ differ in the genetic versus epigenetic components of sex determination. Analysing populations from the ‘undifferentiated race’ with high-density genetic maps should help to further test this hypothesis.     

黑龙江省产胎生蜥蜴的染色体组型研究

本文采用骨髓细胞制片法对分布在黑龙江省孙吴县的胎生蜥蜴染色体组型进行了研究,结果表明其雄性的二倍体染色体数是36,性染色体为ZZ型,2n=34＋ZZ;雌性的二倍体染色体数是35,性染色体为W型,2n=34＋W;所以胎生蜥蜴的性别决定机制为ZZ/W型.胎生蜥蜴的染色体全部为顶端着丝点染色体（除雌性的第5号染色体为亚端着丝点染色体外）,根据其染色体的形态、大小将其配成18对,按照染色体的相对长度把它们分成3组,第Ⅰ组只有第1对染色体（相对长度＞9.0%）,第Ⅱ组包括第2、3和4对染色体（9.0%＞相对长度＞7.0%）,第Ⅲ组包括第5～18对染色体（相对长度＜7.0%）.     

中国蜘蛛染色体组型的研究进展

概述了蜘蛛染色体制片的6种方法：生殖巢切片法、精巢压片法、单胚滴片法、混合胚滴片法、血细胞制片法和单一胚胎压片法,并总结分析了蜘蛛目15科22属27种染色体核型。Abstract:Six methods for making preparation of chromosomes of spiders,including gonad slice technique,testis squash technique,single embry drop technique,mix embryo-cells drop technique,blood cell drop technique and single embryo-cell squash technique,are summarized in this paper.The karyotypes of 27 species from 22 genus in15 families are analysed.     

淡黄蚊蝎蛉染色体特征及其系统发育意义

【目的】染色体特征在昆虫系统发育研究中起着重要作用。然而,长翅目(Mecoptera)蚊蝎蛉科(Bittacidae)昆虫的染色体研究却比较匮乏。【方法】通过室内饲养获得淡黄蚊蝎Bittacus flavidus Huang & Hua各龄幼虫、蛹和成虫。取淡黄蚊蝎雄性末龄(4龄)幼虫、蛹和新羽化成虫精巢细胞进行染色体制片,通过4′,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚(4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI)荧光染色,研究染色体核型、减数分裂行为和性别决定机制。【结果】结果表明,淡黄蚊蝎蛉的染色体数目为2n=26+X0,染色体均具有中着丝粒,核型高度对称。二价体绝对长度为(3.20±0.07)~(1.53±0.19) μm,相对长度为(5.31±0.29)~(2.73±0.24),均呈梯度变化。淡黄蚊蝎蛉的减数分裂为交叉型,其中核的平均交叉频率为11.5,二价体的平均交叉频率为0.88。性别决定机制为XX/X0型。DAPI荧光带型显示,粗线期二价体一端呈现高亮的AT富集区块。【结论】染色体特征(包括染色体数目、染色体臂基本数和核型公式等)在蚊蝎蛉科中表现出显著变异,表明染色体重排(尤其是融合、断裂和倒位)在蚊蝎蛉科昆虫的谱系分化和染色体演化中起着重要作用。     

Effects of oestradiol—enriched diet and of feeding with porcine testicular tissue on macroscopic gonadal sex in European eels

Oestradiol–enriched food (25 mg kg^-1 oestradiol) fed for 91 days to small eels (2 or 7 g) with undifferentiated gonads (UD) significantly favoured development of gonads with the macroscopic appearance of ovaries (♀-gonads) during the next 8 months. Fifty-four and 51% of control eels and 75 and 78% ofoestradiol-treated eels developed ♀-gonads. Minced porcine testicular tissue fed to 2-g eels for up to 371 days had effects similar to oestradiol-enriched food (68% with ♀-gonads), whereas feeding for only 91 days had no effect during the next 8 months. Oestradiol-enriched food was also fed to larger eels with already macroscopically differentiated gonads (30–70 g; 95% with ♀-gonads, 5% with ♀-gonads). After 27 days significantly more eels with a ♀-gonad or with a mixture of ovary-like and testis-like regions in the gonads (♂+♀-gonads) were found. After 96 days there were 44% with ♀-gonads, 40% with ♂+♀-gonads and 16% with ♀-gonads. Oestradiol thus had a feminizing effect, not only on morphologically undifferentiated gonads but also on morphologically differentiated ♀-gonads. The presence of sex steroid hormones or their precursors in porcine testicular tissue may also exert a feminizing influence. In all experiments the hormone-fed groups showed a tendency (not significant) towards increased growth rate. In small eels early rapid growth and differentiation of ♀-gonads were clearly correlated, both in hormone treated and in control eels. Otherwise no correlation was found between growth rate and gonadal sex.     

A histological description of gonadal development and sex differentiation in the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) for both untreated and oestradiol immersed fry

Gonadal development is described in detail for coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) between hatching and 1000 degree-days, post-hatch, to aid sex reversal research. Germ cell morphology and sequence, vascular and reproductive duct development, and gross characteristics of the gonads are presented. Sex differentiation occurs by 380 degree-days, post-hatch (800 degree-days, post-fertilization) and is direct to male and female. Oocytes proliferate rapidly after differentiation while the testes enter a period of quiescence. Fry immersed for short durations in oestradiol (200 μg ⁻¹) are also examined. Hormone immersion advanced sex differentiation by 70 degree-days. The immersions were applied early, at 20 and 90 degree-days, post-hatch, yet still altered the sex ratio and timing of differentiation. Definitive germ cells, which are abundant during this period, may be the type most receptive to steroid treatment.     

Disorders of sexual development and associated changes in the pituitary-gonadal axis in dogs

Normal sexual differentiation depends on completion of chromosomal sex determination, gonadal differentiation, and development of the phenotypic sex. An irregularity in any of these three steps can lead to a disorder in sexual development (DSD). We examined nine dogs with DSD by abdominal ultrasonography, laparotomy, histologic examination of the gonads, and reproductive tract, cytogenetic analysis, and mRNA expression of the SRY gene. We also determined the plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17β, and testosterone before and after administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and compared these results with those obtained in anestrous bitches and male control dogs. The gonads of three dogs with DSD contained both testicular and ovarian tissue, while in the other six only testicular tissue was found. Each of the dogs had a uterus. Based on gynecologic examination, cytogenetic analysis, and the histology of the gonads, seven of the nine dogs appeared to be XX sex reversals. Three of these were XX true hermaphrodites and four were XX males; the other two dogs had incomplete XY gonadal dysgenesis. All seven XX sex-reversed dogs were found to be negative for the SRY gene by polymerase chain reaction. The basal plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was significantly higher in dogs with DSD than in anestrous bitches but not significantly different from that in male dogs. The basal plasma LH concentration increased significantly after GnRH administration in all dogs with DSD. The basal plasma estradiol concentration was significantly higher in dogs with DSD than in anestrous bitches but not significantly different from that in male dogs. The basal plasma testosterone concentration was lower in dogs with DSD than in male dogs. In all dogs with DSD both the basal and GnRH-induced plasma testosterone concentrations were above the upper limit of their respective ranges in the anestrous bitches. In conclusion, the secretion of LH and estradiol in these dogs with DSD, all of which had testicular tissue in their gonads, was similar to that in male control dogs. These results indicate that the basal and/or GnRH-stimulated plasma testosterone concentration might be used to detect the presence of testicular tissue in dogs with DSD.