Does H-Y antigen induce the heterogametic ovary?
To determine whether phylogenetically conservative H-Y antigen plays any part in gonadal differentiation among the nonmammalian vertebrates, we studied expression and binding of H-Y in the frog, Xenopus laevis. Soluble H-Y obtained from mouse testis and soluble H-W from chicken ovary bound specifically to cells of the ZZ testis from normal Xenopus males. In addition, H-Y (H-W) appeared selectively in the ovaries of ZZ genetic males that had been induced to become functional females by exposure to estradiol. Our observations suggest that H-Y (H-W) antigen may be involved in differentiation of the ZW ovary, and also that synthesis of H-Y may be regulated by sex steroids in the primitive ZW/ZZ species.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000276:immunology; D005838:Genotype; D006182:H-Y Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009154:Mutation; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D013737:Testis / Q000276:immunology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014981:Xenopus / Q000502:physiology*
D006182:H-Y Antigen