Sex reversal of germ cell gametogenesis in chimeras of Pleurodeles waltl (urodele amphibian): genetic and immunogenetic demonstration using tolerance or rejection of skin grafts.

Abstract

Viable chimeras were constituted with two cranial and caudal complementary pieces of embryos derived from two distinct histocompatible AA and BB strains, which were incompatible with each other. The embryonic gonads of the resulting chimeras constituted two homo- or heterosexual territories. In most heterosexual chimeras, the testicular territory sex reversed the ovarian territory. The offspring analysis of a male chimera conclusively proved that ZW germ cells derived from the posterior female piece differentiated into spermatozoa. Nevertheless, the opposite situation was also demonstrated with a female chimera in which ZZ germ cells derived from the anterior male piece differentiated into oocytes. These gametogenesis reversions were tested by genetic and immunogenetic analyses of chimera offspring. The phenomenon of tolerance or rejection of skin allo- and autograft was used as a marker of origin of the chimera germ cells, which had produced the offspring. Moreover, in the first stage of the study, the origin of the pieces of adult chimeras was determined using skin grafts. During this stage, the embryonic tolerance was confirmed by the acquisition of four pieces of pairs of chimeras, and by the preservation of skin immunogenicity that was derived from each piece of the chimeras.