Challenges to elucidate mechanisms of sexual differentiation in mammals and to produce paternal-derived mouse using testicular oocytes in MRL mice

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26450439
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Integrative animal science
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Otsuka Saori 北海道大学, 獣医学研究科, 客員研究員 (10566152)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 性分化 / 生殖細胞 / MRL/MpJマウス / 精巣内卵細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Male MRL/MpJ mice produce not only spermatogenic cells but also oocytes in their testes during fetal to neonatal life. In this study, functions of testicular oocytes and mechanisms of testicular oocyte production were studied. First, DNA methylation status of testicular oocytes was similar to ovarian oocytes at the same age. Additionally, there were at least two responsible genes in this phenotype, one on chromosome Y and the other on chromosome 1. Moreover, the expression of ovary-determining genes which should be inhibited in fetal testes was observed in fetal testes of MRL mice indicating its relationship to the production of testicular oocytes.

Free Research Field

農学