Early expression of AMH in chicken embryonic gonads precedes testicular SOX9 expression.
In mammals, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by Sertoli cells from the onset of testicular differentiation and by granulosa cells only after birth. SOX9, a transcription factor related to the testis-determining factor SRY, is expressed in mouse testis 1 day before AMH. To determine the relationship between AMH and SOX9 in birds, we cloned the AMH promoter in search of SOX9 response elements, and we compared the expression of AMH and SOX9 in the gonads of chick embryos using in situ hybridization. Potential SOX response elements were found in the AMH promoter; however, AMH is expressed in both sexes at stage 25, 1 day before the first SOX9 transcripts appear in the male gonads. SOX9 is never expressed in the female. These results do not support the hypothesis that SOX9 could trigger the expression of testicular AMH in the chick but does not exclude a later role in testis development.
Unité de Recherches sur l'Endocrinologie du Développement, INSERM U493, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Montrouge, France.
E
E
Oreal
C
C
Pieau
M G
MG
Mattei
N
N
Josso
J Y
JY
Picard
D
D
Carré-Eusèbe
S
S
Magre
D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D001483:Base Sequence; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006066:Gonads / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D012045:Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology
D006023:Glycoproteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D055758:SOX9 Transcription Factor; C527933:Sox9 protein, mouse; D013735:Testicular Hormones; D014157:Transcription Factors; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone