Abstract
We have examined mRNA expression of two genes located on the Y chromosome, the sex-determining region Y gene (SRY) and the linked zinc finger gene (ZFY), using in vitro fertilized-in vitro cultured bovine embryos. Expression of the SRY gene, implicated in sex determination in mammals, has been reported to occur both for a short time at the sex-determining stage of development around the period of the primitive undifferentiated gonad and in the adult testis. In this study, using a sensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, we detected SRY but not ZFY mRNA expression as early as the 4- to 8-cell stage and through to the blastocyst stage in bovine embryos. The expression of SRY at these early stages and the previous observation that in vitro-produced male bovine embryos develop faster in culture than female embryos suggest that sex differences are evident prior to gonadal differentiation and that preimplantation bovine embryos have sexually dimorphic gene expression at least with respect to SRY transcripts.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
