Abstract
Sexual phenotype in gonochoristic species of hydra (species having separate males and females) is ultimately determined by cells committed to the sperm pathway. Little is known about the genetic basis for determining sex during embryogenesis, but the sex ratio of offspring is generally 1 : 1, implying a genetic component. Sexual phenotype of adult hydra is labile and sex-reversal in both directions can be induced by experimental manipulations involving addition or loss of the sperm lineage. Loss of the sperm lineage is induced by high temperature, causing males to switch to females. Introduction of the sperm lineage into females by grafting causes sex-reversal to male. These studies provide support for a model of sex determination based on cell-cell interactions.
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