Microarray analysis of embryonic E12.5 mouse gonads from control male, female and Amh; Inhbb dKO males

Fate determination and maintenance of fetal testes in most mammals occur cell autonomously as a result of the action of key transcription factors in Sertoli cell. In the mouse testis AMH and Activin B are required for the maintenance of Sertoli cell fate. By E12.5, the testis of the dKO male are comparable with the conrol testis as Amh and Activin B are not required for the initial testis differentiation. By E15.5 Sertoli cells at the testis poles in the dKO transdifferentiate into granulosa cells. We compared the transcriptional profile of control testis, control ovaries and dKO testis (Amh-/-; Inhbb-/-) testis at E12.5多数哺乳动物胎儿睾丸的命运决定与维持，是以支持细胞（Sertoli cell）内关键转录因子的作用为基础的细胞自主性过程。在小鼠睾丸中，维持支持细胞的命运需要抗缪勒管激素（AMH）与激活素B（Activin B）的参与。在胚胎发育第12.5天（E12.5）时，双基因敲除（dKO）雄性小鼠的睾丸与对照组睾丸并无显著差异，因AMH与Activin B并非睾丸初始分化所必需。至胚胎发育第15.5天（E15.5）时，双基因敲除小鼠睾丸两极的支持细胞会转分化为颗粒细胞。本研究对胚胎发育第12.5天的对照组睾丸、对照组卵巢以及双基因敲除（Amh-/-; Inhbb-/-）睾丸的转录表达谱进行了比较分析。