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A dual role for SHH during phallus development in a marsupial.
- Source :
-
Sexual development : genetics, molecular biology, evolution, endocrinology, embryology, and pathology of sex determination and differentiation [Sex Dev] 2014; Vol. 8 (4), pp. 166-77. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Jan 29. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- The mammalian phallus arises from identical primordia in both sexes and is patterned in part by the key morphogen Sonic hedgehog (SHH). We have investigated SHH and other morphogens during phallus development in the tammar wallaby. In this marsupial, testis differentiation and androgen production occurs just after birth, but it takes a further 50-60 days before the phallus becomes sexually dimorphic. One day before birth, SHH was expressed in both sexes in the urethral epithelium. In males, there was a marked upregulation of SHH, GLI2, and AR at day 50 postpartum, a time when testicular androgen production falls. SHH, GLI2, and AR were downregulated in female pouch young treated with androstanediol from days 24-50, but not when treatments were begun at day 29, suggesting an early window of androgen sensitivity. SHH, GLI2, and AR expression in the phallus of males castrated at day 23 did not differ from controls, but there was an increase in SHH and GLI2 and a decrease in FGF8 and BMP4 expression when the animals were castrated at day 29. These results suggest that the early patterning by SHH is androgen-independent followed by an androgen-dependent window of sensitivity and a sharp rise in SHH expression after androgen withdrawal at day 50.<br /> (© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)
- Subjects :
- Androgens pharmacology
Animals
Body Patterning drug effects
Body Patterning genetics
Embryo, Mammalian
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental drug effects
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental physiology
Hedgehog Proteins genetics
Male
Marsupialia growth & development
Orchiectomy veterinary
Penis growth & development
Penis metabolism
Pregnancy
Hedgehog Proteins physiology
Marsupialia embryology
Penis embryology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1661-5433
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Sexual development : genetics, molecular biology, evolution, endocrinology, embryology, and pathology of sex determination and differentiation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24480851
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000357927