Abstract
Although sex determination is dependent on genetic components, like other arthropods, sex differentiation is mediated by a sex hormone, produced by androgenic gland (AG) in malacostracan crustaceans. Androgenic hormone is a glycopeptide, showing structural similarity with insulin-like growth factors. Several experimental studies involving ablation and implantation of AG have established its role in the differentiation of primary and secondary sex characteristics of the males. In many species, especially the hermaphroditic forms, androgenic hormone plays a key role in the maintenance of spermatogenesis and external sex characteristics of the adult male. Detection of an insulin-like receptor gene in Macrobrachium rosenbergii is helpful in the elucidation of androgenic hormone action in crustacean sex differentiation. Further gene expression studies using molecular markers such as vasa gene have thrown new light on the germline differentiation of the gonad. Expression of other genes such as dmrt and Dsx has given important clues on the phylogenetic relationship between crustaceans and insects with reference to sex determination and differentiation. The occurrence of several sexual anomalies such as intersexuality and gynandromorphism suggests that such abnormalities in sex differentiation could be caused by imbalance in hormonal and other epigenetic factors controlling gene expression.
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