Systematic analyses of murine masculinization processes based on genital sex differentiation parameters

In this study, we propose genital sex differentiation parameters (GSDP), a set of developmental parameters based on systematic three‐dimensional tissue reconstruction and cumulative histological analyses. We define the sexual differences of external genitalia and perineum by GSDP through analyzing mouse models, androgen inhibitor‐induced feminization experiments and Mafb mutant mouse with defective urethral differentiation. The urethral parameters displayed prominent reduction by the androgen inhibitor (finasteride) treatment. However, genital tubercle (GT) size parameters were not affected by such treatment. These results indicated that sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone was different between embryonic GT size and urethral formation. Furthermore, we evaluated the extent of urethral defects of Mafb mutant mice by GSDP. Thus, GSDP is a set of useful parameters to define the sexual differences during external genitalia and perineum development. Genital sex differentiation parameters (GSDP), a set of embryonic external genitalia developmental parameters were proposed based on three‐dimensional (3D) tissue reconstruction and cumulative histological analyses. We defined sexual differentiation of external genitalia by GSDP through analyzing mouse models and androgen inhibitor‐induced feminization experiments with local androgen measurement by LC‐MS/MS technology.
Source: Development, Growth and Differentiation - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research