XX germ cells: the difference between an ovary and a testis.
In mammals, gonadal sex is determined by the action of the testis-determining gene, SRY. In the absence of SRY, the indifferent gonad follows an alternative pathway and develops as an ovary. Both mitotic and meiotic germ cells appear to play an essential role in ensuring ovarian development. Ovaries depleted of germ cells before or after ovarian differentiation has commenced can develop seminiferous cords, suggesting that XX germ cells may inhibit testicular differentiation in the ovary.
Whitworth
D J
DJ
Department of Molecular Genetics, Box 45, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.