Abstract
Male and female germ cells enter meiosis at different times. Spermatogenesis results from meiosis during fetal development, whereas oogenesis results when meiosis initiates after birth. It has been thought that germ cells enter meiosis and initiate oogenesis by default unless blocked by an uncharacterized diffusible signaling molecule produced by the testis. Bowles et al. now show that retinoid metabolism inhibits meiosis in male embryos. In both males and females, the morphogen retinoic acid is produced in the mesonephric tubules for the initiation of meiosis. The morphogen is not degraded in the ovary, but it is specifically degraded in the testis by the p450 cytochrome enzyme CYP26B1. J. Bowles, D. Knight, C. Smith, D. Wilhelm, J. Richman, S. Mamiya, K. Yashiro, K. Chawengsaksophak, M. J. Wilson, J. Rossant, H. Hamada, P. Koopman, Retinoid signaling determines germ cell fate in mice. Science 312 , 596-600 (2006). [Abstract] [Full Text]
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.
