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Soluble H-Y antigen and the search for molecules controlling sex determination in mammals

Carlos A. Moreira-Filho; Fernanda O. Russo

Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Edifício Biomédicas III, Cidade Universitária, 05508 São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Send correspondence to C.A.M.-F.

ABSTRACT

Recently it was demonstrated that a cell line (TM-4) of presumptive Sertoli cell origin, isolated from testis of immature BALB/c mice, secretes H-Y antigen. This fact supports the hypothesis that H-Y antigen is the inducer of the mammalian testis. The availability of a source of soluble H-Y antigen enabled us to develop a new and sensitive immunoassay for determining the H-Y status of patients affected with disorders of sex determination. But the search for molecules controlling sex determination in mammals (and in other vertebrates) remains a controversial field. The use of molecular probes for the Y chromosome, in conjunction with the now "classical" serologic methods, may provide more conclusive evidence in the near future.

Keywords: H-Y antigen; molecules; controlling; sex; mammals.

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