Advances in the Sex Determination Mechanisms of Amphibians
Author of the article:TIAN Haifeng, MENG Yan, HU Qiaomu, XIAO Hanbing*
Author's Workplace：(Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China)
Key Words：amphibian; sex-determination system; homomorphic sex chromosome; sex determination gene
Abstract：Two heterogametic types (XX/XY and ZZ/ZW) for genetic sex determination are present within families or genera of amphibians, and even in different geographic populations of one species. This phylogenetic distribution suggests the transitions between the two heterogametic types may frequently occur in this lineage. Homomorphic sex chromosome is prevent in amphibian, and both “high-turnover” and “fountain-of-youth” hypotheses may explain this phenomenon. Steroids are the key factors for sex determination during the early stage of sexual development. Additionally, the recently identified DM-W gene, was introduced as the only known sex determination gene in amphibian. This brief review would contribute to understand the origin and evolution of sex determination mechanisms of amphibian, to protect the wild population of endangered amphibians, and to make use of those aquatic amphibian species.