The Role of Dosage Sensitive Sex Reversal Adrenal Hyperplasia Congenita 1 (DAX-1) in Mouse Oogenesis
Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2005
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Melissa Pepling
Honors Reader
Dr. Eleanor Maine
Capstone Major
Biology
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biology
Abstract
Although critically important to fertility and reproduction, the mechanisms controlling development of mammalian primordial germ cells into functional oocytes are poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate oocyte development will ultimately reveal significant insights into female infertility problems in mammals, including humans. In order to decipher what mediates the formation of a functional oocyte, we are studying oogenesis in the mammalian model Mus musculus. During mouse embryonic development the oocytes develop as interconnected clusters of cells called germline cysts. Evidence suggests that in humans, oocytes are also organized into cysts. Eventually the cysts undergo programmed cell breakdown, each giving rise to at least one oocyte. In the mouse, a subset of cells in each cyst dies, with only a third of the original number of oocytes surviving. DAX-1 encodes a transcription factor that has been implicated in sex determination and gonad differentiation. Adult female mice lacking the Dax-1 gene exhibit an abnormal multiple oocyte follicle phenotype. These multiple oocyte follicles may be cysts that never completed the cyst breakdown process. To determine if Dax-1 plays a role in the process of cyst breakdown, ovaries from animals lacking Dax-1 were examined at postnatal day (PND) 7 which is just after cyst breakdown is completed. PND7 mutants had reduced cyst breakdown and reduced oocyte survival. In addition, expression of Dax-1 was examined in normal mice and was found to be present during the cyst breakdown period.
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Krystal, "The Role of Dosage Sensitive Sex Reversal Adrenal Hyperplasia Congenita 1 (DAX-1) in Mouse Oogenesis" (2005). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 671.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/671
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