Functional Roles of Activin ?-A in the Development of an Embryonic Ovary
Molecular pathways that regulate sex determination and differentiation of the embryo have been discovered in recent years, but pathways that are involved in the development of the reproductive system still unknown. Activins, components of transforming growth factor ?, and its subunits are involved in some activities of the reproductive system such as the release of the Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), oocyte maturation and the development of the nervous system of the embryo (Silverthorn, 2001). In samples of mouse embryos at 16.5 and 19.5 days post coitum we searched for the presence of Activin ? A (Ac?A) in the ovary using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. In addition, we obtained samples of knockout mice for Activin ? A and compared them with samples of wild type embryos to analyze the possible roles that Activin ? A could have in the development of the mouse ovary. Our result is that Ac?A is present on the wild type ovary at 16.5 days post coitum.
School:
University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón
Department:
Human Biology
Research Advisor:
Humphrey Hung Chang Yao
Department of Research Advisor:
Reproductive Biology
Year of Publication:
2006