Osterix functions downstream of anti-Müllerian hormone signaling to regulate Müllerian duct regression

The goal of this study was to identify potential AMH-induced genes and regulatory networks controlling regression by RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis of differences in Müllerian Duct mesenchyme between males (AMH signaling on) and females (AMH signaling off) in purified fetal Müllerian Duct mesenchymal cells. This analysis found 82 genes up-regulated in males during MD regression and identified Osterix (Osx)/Sp7, a key transcriptional regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, as a novel downstream effector of AMH signaling during MD regression. Müllerian Duct mesenchymal cells mRNA profiles from 2-7 embryonic day 14.5 embryos were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina HiSeq 2000.