Sex determination is the process deciding the sex of a developing embryo. This is usually determined genetically; however it is a delicate process, which in many cases can be influenced by environmental factors. The mechanisms controlling zebrafish sex determination and differentiation are not known. To date no sex linked genes have been identified in zebrafish and no sex chromosomes have been ...

background: granuloca cells have a key role during estroeidogenesis. objectives: the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of number of culture medium granulosa cells on estradiol concentrations and mrna codding estrogenic and progestagenic enzyme. methods: briefly, follicles between 2 and 5 mm diameter were dissected from the ovaries of adult cows and were collected by rinsing the ...

BACKGROUND Experimental tools for studying the complex steroidogenic interactions that occur between placenta and fetus during human pregnancy are extremely limited. OBJECTIVES We aimed to develop a co-culture model to study steroidogenesis by the human fetoplacental unit and its disruption by exposure to environmental contaminants. METHODS We cultured BeWo human choriocarcinoma cells, repr...

Women with high circulating estrogen concentrations have an increased risk of breast cancer; thus, it is important to understand factors, including genetic variability, that influence estrogen concentrations. Several genetic polymorphisms that may influence sex hormone concentrations have been identified, including CYP17 (5'-untranslated region T-->C), CYP19 [intron 4 (TTTA)(n = 7-13) and a 3-b...