Zebrafish Germ Determination
Germ Line Control of female Sex Determination in Zebrafish
In order to identify the sex of a developing embryo, many scientists have studied this process called sex determination that allows them to have better understandings on how sex is being determined in either vertebrates or invertebrates. Sex determination is normally determined genetically; however, other factors can contribute to its determination. There are numerous determinants that control sex determination, but the most important are sex chromosomes and environmental factors. Sex chromosomes is the process where either of a pair of chromosomes determine whether an individual is male or female. In humans, the sex chromosomes are represented by X and Y and found on chromosomes …show more content…
There are various mechanisms that can be used for sex determination in zebrafish. However, Siegfried and Nusslein- Volhard concentrate more on the effect of germ line in zebrafish. Germ line is required for female sex determination but not male sex determination. Deletion of germ line results to the high expression of sox9a and amh indicating testes formation. However, ovary specific gene Cyp19a1a and foxL2 were found to be down regulated in germ line deficient gonads. This indicates that oocytes influence female sex determination by either inhibiting sertoli cells or maintaining granulosa cells. Several experiment were taken place to determine the effect of germ line in determining sex fate. First, the deletion of germ line via dnd-MO shows that the zebrafish have male coloration. This indication shows germ line is required for female sex determination. The question that is not completely understood is how does germ line control gonad fate? Germ line is necessary for the survival of ovarian somatic cells. When it is deficient, it results to the proliferation of testis somatic cells. This shows how the regulation of particular genes can contribute to the sex
In order to identify the sex of a developing embryo, many scientists have studied this process called sex determination that allows them to have better understandings on how sex is being determined in either vertebrates or invertebrates. Sex determination is normally determined genetically; however, other factors can contribute to its determination. There are numerous determinants that control sex determination, but the most important are sex chromosomes and environmental factors. Sex chromosomes is the process where either of a pair of chromosomes determine whether an individual is male or female. In humans, the sex chromosomes are represented by X and Y and found on chromosomes …show more content…
There are various mechanisms that can be used for sex determination in zebrafish. However, Siegfried and Nusslein- Volhard concentrate more on the effect of germ line in zebrafish. Germ line is required for female sex determination but not male sex determination. Deletion of germ line results to the high expression of sox9a and amh indicating testes formation. However, ovary specific gene Cyp19a1a and foxL2 were found to be down regulated in germ line deficient gonads. This indicates that oocytes influence female sex determination by either inhibiting sertoli cells or maintaining granulosa cells. Several experiment were taken place to determine the effect of germ line in determining sex fate. First, the deletion of germ line via dnd-MO shows that the zebrafish have male coloration. This indication shows germ line is required for female sex determination. The question that is not completely understood is how does germ line control gonad fate? Germ line is necessary for the survival of ovarian somatic cells. When it is deficient, it results to the proliferation of testis somatic cells. This shows how the regulation of particular genes can contribute to the sex