Temperature--Not Chromosomes--Determines the Sex of Certain Lower Vertebrates

与哺乳动物和鸟类的性染色体系统相反， 许多爬行动物的性别是由孵化温度决定的 卵子的性别决定（温度依赖性性别决定，或TSD）。性 在TSD下的测定也可以通过人工 应用特定的类固醇激素， 温度被覆盖。拟议的工作追求这一点 与TSD的相互作用。这项研究有两个具体目标。 第一个目的是进一步研究TSD的生理基础 （i）在温度敏感过程中定位关键酶， 窗口，以及（ii）利用最近的发现，外源 雄激素会导致男性发育。第二个目标扩展了我们的 对TSD/HSD的分子生物学进行研究， 绘制并量化发育中的类固醇激素受体 胚胎这些研究将共同有助于概括和统一 解剖学、生理学和分子学观察。基本 这里提出的研究应用于保护 濒危爬行动物

In contrast to the sex chromosome systems of mammals and birds, the sex of many reptiles is determined by the incubation temperature of the egg (temperature-dependent sex-determination, or TSD). Sex determination under TSD can also be controlled by the artificial application of specific steroid hormones, whereby the effects of temperature are overridden. The proposed work pursues this interplay in a turtle with TSD. The study has two specific aims. The first aim is to study further the physiological bases of TSD by (i) localizing key enzymes during the temperature-sensitive window, and (ii) capitalize on a recent discovery that exogenous androgen can cause male development. The second aim extends our line of research into the molecular biology of TSD/HSD to identify, map, and quantify steroid hormone receptors in the developing embryo. Together these studies will serve to generalize and unite anatomical, physiological, and molecular observations. The basic research proposed here has applications to the conservation of endangered reptiles.