Evidence for the role of the maternal immune system in balancing the sex ratio in mice.
Two experiments have been conducted to verify the effect of maternal preimmunization to H-Y antigen on the secondary sex ratio in C57Bl/6 mice. In accord with the theoretical model previously proposed, it was found that extensive immunization to H-Y antigen following splenectomy resulted in a significant increase in sex ratio (males/females) without affecting litter size. Litter size was also not correlated to sex ratio. The data from both experiments suggest that splenectomy alone or restimulation to H-Y antigen (after 30 days) both act to decrease sex ratio. It is concluded that the maternal immune system plays a limited, but significant, role in maintaining the normal sex ratio in mice.
D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006182:H-Y Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D012744:Sex Ratio; D013156:Splenectomy
D006182:H-Y Antigen