Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects and Role of Estrogens in Avian Gonadal Differentiation

  • Chapter
Mechanisms of Gonadal Differentiation in Vertebrates

Abstract

Biologic investigations of sexual dimorphism and sex determination were initiated in the last century. As early as 1849, Berthold performed testicular abdominal implantations in castrated cocks and observed normal sexual behavior and function. He proposed that the grafted testes act on the organism through the circulation [27]. About 50 years ago, Benoit confirmed Berthold’s interpretation and provided experimental evidence for the controversal ‘interstitial theory’ that assumes hormone production by interstitial cells. In addition, similar cells (fat laden, spongious) were detected in the gonads of chick embryos and their physiologic role was discussed [42]. From 1935 onwards, the feminizing effects of crystallized estrogens observed after the early treatment of chick embryos, together with many other correlated experimental investigations, gave rise to the ‘hormonal theory’ of sex differentiation [60, 61]. Later, histo-chemical and histoenzymological data were used to define the ontogenesis, localization, and activity of steroidogenic cells in the gonads, both during embryonic development and after hatching [41, 42]. Furthermore, biochemical assays with radioactive precursors were introduced to determine hormonal biosynthesis by the gonads in vitro [21, 23, 58].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Angelova P, Jordanov J (1975) Histochemical and experimental studies on the steroidogenesis of the right embryonic chick ovary. Folia Anat Jugosl 4:29–34.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Angelova P, Jordanov J, Kanchev L (1980) Radioimmunoassay of sexual steroid hormones secreted by embryonic chick gonads in organ culture. CR Acad Bulg Sci 33:389–392.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Arcos M (1972) Steroids in egg yolk. Steroids 19:25–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bhujle VB, Nadkarni VB, Rao MA (1979) Steroid synthetizing cells in the embryonic and adult gonads of the domestic pigeon, Columbia livia. Gen Comp Endocrinol 38:153–161.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Budras KD, Preuss F (1973) Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur embryonalen und postembryonalen Genese der Eierstockzwischenzellen des Haushuhnes. Z Zellforsch 136:59–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Carlon N (1982) Rôle de l’antigène H-Y dans l’organogenèse des gonades chez l’homme et les mammifères. Pathol Biol (Paris) 30:49–60.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Fisher JL (1979) Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772-1884) face au problème du déterminisme du sexe. Hist Phil Life Sci 1:261–283.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Frankenhuis MT, Kappert HJ (1980) Experimental transformation of right gonads of female fowl into fertile testes. Biol Reprod 23:526–529.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Galli F, Wassermann GF (1973) Steroid biosynthesis by gonads of 7 and 10-day-old chick embryos. Gen Comp Endocrinol 21:77–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gase JM (1974) Les premiers signes de 1a differentiation sexuelle des gonades chez les oiseaux. Année Biol, 13:229–240.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gase JM (1980) Estrogen target cells in gonads of the chicken embryo during sexual differentiation. J Embryol Exp Morphol, 55:331–342.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gilmour DG (1967) Histocompatibility antigen in the heteroga-metic sex in the chicken. Transplantation 5:699–706.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Goodfellow PN, Andrews PW (1982) Sexual differentiation and H-Y antigen. Nature 295:11–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Gomot L (1975) Intersexuality in birds. Study of the effects of hybridization and post-embryonic ovariectomy. In: Rein-both R (ed) Intersexuality in the animal kingdom. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 356–374.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Guichard A, Cédard L, Haffen K (1973) Aspect comparatif de 1a Synthèse de stéroïdes sexuels par les gonades embryon-naires de poulet à différents Stades du développement (étude en culture organotypique à partir de précurseurs radioactifs). Gen Comp Endocrinol 20:16–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Guichard A, Cédard L, Mignot ThM, Scheib D, Haffen K (1977) Radioimmunoassay of steroids produced by cultured chick embryonic gonads: differences according to ages, sex and side. Gen Comp Endocrinol 32:255–265.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Guichard A, Scheib D, Haffen K, Mignot Th-M, Cédard L (1979) Comparative study of steroidogenesis by quail and chick embryonic gonads in organ culture. J Steroid Biochem 12:83–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Guichard A, Scheib D (1982) Hormonal potentialities of female gonads in tamoxifen-treated quail embryos. J Steroid Biochem 17:3 (abstract 62).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Guichard A, Mignot Th-M, Cédard L, Angelova P, Scheib D (to be published) Control of the hormonal secretions of quail embryo gonads (normal and DES-treated); in vitro effects of testosterone and of hCG. Gen Comp Endocrinol (accepted).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Haffen K (1969) Quelques aspects de l’intersexualité expérimen-tale chez 1e Poulet (Gallus gallus) et 1a caille (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). Bull Biol C III 34:401–417.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Haffen K (1975) Sex differentiation of avian gonads in vitro. Am Zool 15:257–272.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Haffen K (1977) Sexual differentiation of the ovary. In: Gorbman A (ed) The ovary, vol I. Academic Press, p 69-112.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Haffen K, Cedard L, Scheib D (1971) Biosynthesis of steroid hormones by the chick embryonic gonads. In: Hamburgh M, Barrington EJW (eds) Hormones in development. Appleton Century Crofts, New York, p 705–718.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Haffen K, Scheib D, Guichard A, Cédard L (1975) Prolonged sexual bipotentiality of the embryonic quail testes and relation with sex steroid biosynthesis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 26:70–78.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Haffen K, Wolff E (1977) Natural and experimental modification of ovarian development. In: Gorbman A (ed) The ovary. Academic Press, New York, p 411–421.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Jordanov J, Angelova P, Boyadjieva-Michailova A, Bakalska M (1978) Ultrastructure of developing interstitial cells in chick embryonic gonads in relation to their genesis and steroidogenic function. Z Mikroskop Anat Forsch 92:449–464.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Klein M (1968) Sur l’article de Berthold: transplantation des testicules (1849). Arch Anat Histol Embryol (Strasb) 51:381–386.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lepori NG (1980) Sex differentiation, hermaphroditism and intersexuality in Vertebrates including Man. Piccin Med Books, Padova.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Lutz H, Lutz-Ostertag Y (1975) Intersexuality of the genital system and ‘free-martinism’ in birds. In: Reinboth R (ed) Intersexuality in the animal kingdom. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 382–391.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  30. Müller U (1980) Die gonadendifferenzierende Funktion von H-Y Antigen während der Vertebratenevolution. In: Müller H (ed) Wirbeltier cytogenetik. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel Boston Stuttgart, p 39–53.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Müller U, Zenzes MT, Wolf M, Engel W, Weniger JP (1979) Appearance of H-W (H-Y) antigen in the gonads of oestradiol sex-reversed male chicken embryos. Nature 280:142–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Müller U, Guichard A, Reyss-Brion M, Scheib D (1980) Induction of H-Y antigen in the gonads of male quail embryos by diethylstilbestrol. Differentiation 16:129–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Ohno S (1979) Major sex-determining genes. In: Monogr Endocrinol 11:140 p. Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Ohno S (1980) Bibliography on H-Y antigen as the primary (gonadal) sex determiner and confusions in its immunological recognition. Bibliog Reprod 36:1, n° 118.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Reyss-Brion M, Scheib D (1980) Development of the steroid-producing cells during the transformation of the right gonad into a testis in ovariectomized chicks. Gen Comp Endocrinol 40:69–77.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Reyss-Brion M, Mignot Th-M, Guichard A (1982) Development of steroidogenesis in the right gonad of domestic fowl masculinized by left ovariectomy. Gen Comp Endocrinol 46:68–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Salzgeber B, Reyss-Brion M, Baulieu EE (1981) Effets d’un anti-oestrogène (Tamoxifène) sur 1a différenciation sexuelle de poulet. CR Acad Sci [D] (Paris) 293:133–138.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Samsel J, Zeis A, Weniger JP (1982) Feminisation du testicule embryonnaire de poulet par 1e diethylstilboestrol et action anta-goniste du tamoxifène. Biochimie 64:369–376.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Scheib D (1970) Origine et ultrastructure des cellules sécrétrices de l’ovaire embryonnaire de Caille. CR Acad Sci [D] 271:1700–1703.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Scheib D (1980) Ultrastructural features in female gonads of quail embryos treated with an anti-estrogen (Tamoxifen). Biol Cell 45:185 (abstract 409) Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Scheib D, Haffen K (1969) Apparition et localisation des hyd-roxystéroide déshydrogenases (δ5-3β-et 17β) dans les gonades de l’embryon et du poussin chez 1a caille (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). Etude histoenzymologique et comparaison avec 1e poulet (Gallus gallus domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 12:586–597.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Scheib D, Haffen K (1974) La glande interstitielle de l’oiseau: différenciation, évolution et potentialités sécrétrices. Année Biol 13:197–212.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Scheib D, Haffen K, Guichard A, Cédard L (1974) Transformation de 1a déhydro-epiandrostérone 4-par les gonades embryon-naires de 1a caille japonaise explantées in vitro. Gen Comp Endocrinol 23:453–459.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Scheib D, Reyss-Brion M (1979) Feminization of the quail by early diethylstilbestrol treatment: histoenzymological investigations on steroid dehydrogenases in the gonads. Arch Anat Mi-croscop Morphol Exp 68:85–98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Scheib D, Guichard A, Mignot Th-M, Cédard L (1981) Steroidogenesis by gonads of normal and of diethylstilbestrol treated quail embryos: radioimmunoassay on organ cultures. Gen Comp Endocrinol 43:519–526.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Scheib D, Baulieu EE (1981) Action antagoniste du tamoxifène sur 1a différentiation normale des gonades femelies de l’embryon de Caille. CR Acad Sci [D] (Paris) 293:513–518.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Silvers WK, Wachtel SS (1977) H-Y antigen: behaviour and function. Cell surface component of vertebrates may be directly involved in primary sex determination. Science 195:956–960.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Stoll R, Rashedi M, Maraud R (1980) Hermaphroditism induced in the female chick by testicular grafts. Gen Comp Endocrinol 41:66–75.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Stoll R, Rashedi M, Maraud R (1982) Action of estradiol on the hermaphroditism induced by testicular graft in the female chick embryo. Gen Comp Endocrinol 47:190–199.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Taber E (1974) Intersexuality in birds. In: Armstrong CN, Marshall AJ (eds) Intersexuality in Vertebrates including Man. Academic Press, New York, p 286–310.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Tanabe Y, Nakamura T, Fujioka K, Doi O (1979) Production and secretion of sex steroid hormones by the testes, the ovary and the adrenal glands of embryonic and young chickens (Gallus domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 39:26–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Teng CT, Teng CS (1977) The hormonal regulation of steroido-genesis and adenosine 3’: 5’-cyclic monophosphate in embryonic chick ovary. Biochem J 162:123–134.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Teng CT, Teng CS (1977) The effect of diethylstilbestrol on the embryonic gonadal steroid production and its responsiveness to gonadotrophic hormone. J Cell Biol 75: abstract HM 787.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Tsang CPN, Gründer AA, Gavora JS (1981) Effect of active immunization against estradiol on egg shell quality, production and sexual development of the chick embryo. Poultry Sci 60:1754 (abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Wachtel SS, Ohno S, Koo GC, Boyse EA (1975) Possible role for H-Y antigen in the primary determination of sex. Nature 257:235–236.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Wachtel SS, Koo GC, Boyse EA (1975) Evolutionary conservation of H-Y (‘male’) antigen. Nature 254:270–272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Weniger JP (1974) Les hormones sexuelles embryonnaires des oiseaux. Arch Anat Histol Embryol 57:145–152.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Weniger JP, Zeis A (1971) Biosynthèse d’oestrogènes par les èbauches gonadiques de poulet. Gen Comp Endocrinol 16:391–397.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Weniger JP, Chouraqui J, Zeis A (1982) Secretion d’oestrogènes par l’ovaire d’embryon de Poulet traité par 1e tamoxifène. CR Acad Sci [D] (Paris) 294:1025–1027.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Wolff E (1978) New trends in the problem of sex differentiation. Med Biol 56:403–406.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Wolff E (1979) Old experiments and new trends in avian sex differentiation. In Vitro 15:6–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Woods, JE, Weeks RL (1969) Ontogenesis of pituitary-gonadal axis in the chick embryo. Gen Comp Endocrinol 13:242–254.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Woods JE, Podczaski S (1974) Androgen synthesis in the go-nads of the chick embryo. Gen Comp Endocrinol Suppl 1:341–345.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Woods JE, Erton LH (1978) The synthesis of estrogens in the gonads of the chick embryo. Gen Comp Endocrinol 44:37–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Woods JE, Brazzill DM (1981) Plasma 17β estradiol levels in the chick embryo. Gen Comp Endocrinol 44:37–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Yamada K (1977) Fine structure of the gonadal interstitial cells in early avian embryos. J Gifu Dental Soc 5:5–18.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Zaborski P, Guichard A, Reyss-Brion M (1980) H-Y antigen in ovariectomized chicks: disappearance of its expression during the transformation of the right gonad into a testis. Biol Cell 39:291–294.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Zaborski P, Guichard A, Scheib D (1981) Transient expression of H-Y antigen in quail ovotestis following early diethylstilbestrol (DES) treatment. Biol Cell 41:113–122.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Zenzes MT, Urban E, Wolf U (1980) Mammalian cross-reactive H-Y antigen induces sex-reversal in vitro in the avian testis. Differentiation 17:121–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut d’Embryologie Expérimentale du CNRS et du Collège de France 49 bis, Avenue de 1a Belle Gabrielle, F-94130, Nogent-sur-Marne, France

    Denise Scheib

Authors
  1. Denise Scheib
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Scheib, D. (1983). Effects and Role of Estrogens in Avian Gonadal Differentiation. In: Mechanisms of Gonadal Differentiation in Vertebrates. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69150-8_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69150-8_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-12480-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69150-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation