In vitro studies of gonadal organogenesis in the presence and absence of H-Y antigen

Reaggregates of cells from rat testis resemble developing gonads

Reaggregates prepared from newborn rat testis cells in Moscona-type rotation cultures were analyzed and compared with normal fetal (12-21 days) and newborn testes at the light and electron microscope level. After 25 h of culture, the aggregates resembled normal testicular tissue. The cells of the surface layer were spindle-shaped and connected by adherent junctions. The epithelial cords were composed exclusively of Sertoli cells and were surrounded by elongated cells resembling the developing myoid cells in newborn testes. The basal aspect of the cords was covered by a layer of flocculent material which, in places, was organized like an ordinary basement membrane. Individual spermatogonia with pseudopodes were observed in the interstitial tissue. Some Leydig cells were organized into small clusters like those typical in newborn testes. The present observations indicate that, histologically, the reaggregation of separated testicular cells resembles the differentiation of embryonic male gonads.

The H-Y antigen and its functions: a review and a hypothesis

Having reviewed the status of H-Y as the sex-determining antigen concerned with the differentiation of the dominant gonad, we consider some of the problems deriving from the tests for this antigen, and from their application to the study of natural experiments. To reconcile the results of these studies with the alleged influence of H-Y on gonadal development, we propose and discuss a hypothesis on the genetic control of the synthesis of this antigen. This states that an autosomally-coded, positively cross-reacting precursor is rendered biologically active by a Y-chromosomal gene, and transformed (in a dose-dependent manner) into a biologically inactive, antigenically negative substance under the influence of an X-chromosomal gene.

Effects of H--Y antigen on morphologic and endocrine differentiation of gonads in mammals

The effects of H--Y antigen, released in a soluble state by male human Burkitt lymphomas and mouse teratomas, were studied in the fetal gonads from 13 to 21-day-old rats and 98-day-old calves, using histologic techniques, radioimmunoassays for testosterone, and bioassays for Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS). Whereas no effect was detected in the younger gonads, some structural changes were observed in bovine and 21-day-old rat ovaries when cultured for 5 days with Daudi and male teratoma supernatants, but there was no synthesis of testosterone or MIS. These observations raise questions concerning the critical period of sensitivity to H--Y antigen of female gonads, and the dissociation between morphologic and biochemical events.

The capacity of testicular cells of the postnatal rat to reorganize into histotypic structures

Cell reorganization experiments in vitro were performed with dissociated rat testes at different ages of postnatal development namely, newborn, 8-10, 18-25, 35-40, and 90 days. Only newborn and juvenile rat testicular cells reassociated into testicular-like organization in rotation culture. Puberal and adult rat testicular cells show morphogenetic organization when they were deprived or germ cells by busulphan pretreatment. A factor present in testicular tissue of puberal and adult rats inhibits reorganization. The inhibitor is confined to the spermatic cell fraction in the testis.

H-Y antigen negative germ cells in gonadal sex organization in vitro: a morphological study

Dissociation-reorganization experiments were done with gonadal cells of newborn rats. Rotation cultures consisted of mixtures of somatic and germ cells of opposite sex. Somatic cells, ovarian or testicular, determined a female or male type respectively, of gonadal histomorphic organization. Germ cells did not affect the type of organization of somatic cells. Accordingly, suspensions containing somatic cells of one sex together with germ cells of both sexes, reorganized in rotation culture, into either a) follicles containing XX or XY germ cells, or b) tubules containing XX or XY or both types of germ cells. These results give morphological evidence for heterosexual germ-somatic cells interactions. Based on morphological and H-Y antigen studies, failure of germ cells to bind and express H-Y antigen is considered as a possible factor for this failure of germ cells to affect gonadal sex.

Inhibition of testicular organization in vitro by newborn rat ovarian cell supernatants

Cell reorganization experiments performed with newborn rat gonadal single cell suspensions resulted in organ-like reorganization after 18 h of rotation culture. When, however, testicular cells were incubated in supernatants of newborn rat ovarian cells, testicular organization was suppressed and the architecture of the reorganized gonad was rather feminine. Supernatants of adult rat ovarian cells did not inhibit testicular organization. The possible mechanisms responsible for the failure of the function of H-Y antigen by the presence of ovarian cell supernatants of newborn rats are discussed.