title: Cooperation of sex chromosomal genes and endocrine influences for hypothalamic sexual differentiation.
abstract: There is little debate that mammalian sexual differentiation starts from the perspective of two primary sexes that correspond to differential sex chromosomes (X versus Y) that lead to individuals with sex typical characteristics. Sex steroid hormones account for most aspects of brain sexual differentiation, however, a growing literature has raised important questions about the role of sex chromosomal genes separate from sex steroid actions. Several important model animals are being used to address these issues and, in particular, they are taking advantage of molecular genetic approaches using different mouse strains. The current review examines the cooperation of genetic and endocrine influences from the perspective of behavioral and morphological hypothalamic sexual differentiation, first in adults and then in development. In the final analysis, there is an ongoing need to account for the influence of hormones in the context of underlying genetic circumstances and null hormone conditions.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia and Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Majdic
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tobet
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D020644:Midline Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000254:growth & development; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000502:physiology; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1; C515058:steroidogenic factor 1, mouse