Mammalian sex reversal and intersexuality: deciphering the sex-determination cascade.

The sex-determination cascade constitutes a model of the exquisite mechanisms of gene regulation that lead to the development of mammalian embryos. The discovery of the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY) in the early 1990s was the first crucial step towards a general understanding of sex determination. Since then, several genes that encode proteins with a role in this cascade, such as WT1, SF-1, SOX9, DAX-1 and WNT4, have been identified.

Report of the International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop: male linkage map.

The goal of the First International Equine Gene Mapping Workshop, held in 1995, was the construction of a low density, male linkage map for the horse. For this purpose, the International Horse Reference Family Panel (IHRFP) was established, consisting of 12 paternal half-sib families with 448 half-sib offspring provided by 10 laboratories. Blood samples were collected and DNA extracted in each laboratory and sent to the Lexington laboratory (KY, USA) for dispatch in aliquots to 14 typing laboratories.

Characterization, genetic and physical mapping analysis of 36 horse plasmid and cosmid-derived microsatellites.

Thirty-six new horse microsatellites (11 from plasmid libraries and 25 from a cosmid library) were isolated and characterized on a panel of four horse breeds. Thirty were found to be polymorphic with heterozygosity levels ranging between 0.20 and 0.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of PepC, a thiol aminopeptidase from Lactoccocus lactis homologous to bleomycin hydrolase.

Crystals of the recombinant thiol aminopeptidase PepC, from Lactoccocus lactis, have been obtained using the hanging-drop method of vapor diffusion from ammonium sulfate solutions. Crystals are rhombohedral, the space group is R32, a = 175.2 A, c = 94.

Nucleocapsid gene sequence of a North American isolate of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus, a fish rhabdovirus.

Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia is the most important viral disease of trout in Europe. The causative agent, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), a member of the lyssavirus genus of the rhabdoviridae family, was formerly believed to be confined to portions of the European continent; however in 1988, VHSV was isolated from adult chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho (O. kisutch) salmon returning to two hatcheries in the northwestern part of the State of Washington, U.

Associative effects between two fibre sources on ileal and overall digestibilities of amino acids, energy and cell-wall components in growing pigs.

1. The associative effects of two fibre sources on ileal and overall digestibility of amino acids, energy and cell-wall components were studied by comparing wheat bran and soya-bean hulls in semi-purified diets given to growing pigs. 2.

Influence of major minerals on rumen microbiota.

The supply of minerals needed to meet rumen microbe requirements should match the amount of energy available for fermentation. Therefore, we attempt to assess microbial requirements for phosphorus (P), sulfur (S) and magnesium (Mg) in terms of fermentable organic matter at the rumen level (OMF) or in terms of digestible matter in the total tract (OMD). In vivo, about 5 g of P and 1.

Activation of trout adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase by trout apoproteins.

In rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) lipoprotein profiles change during the annual sexual cycle. Among other factors, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity might play a role. This enzyme is activated by trout serum suggesting the existence of a cofactor corresponding to apoprotein CII in this species.