Newly Discovered Gene Decides Whether To Make Germ Cells Sperm Or Eggs

Researchers have discovered a new gene that takes a call whether to make germ cells sperm or eggs.

Researchers described experiments involving a small fish called the medaka, or Japanese rice fish, that revealed the role of a gene called foxl3 in controlling the fate of germ cells.

Germ cells are the reproductive precursor cells, present in the bodies of vertebrates of both sexes. However, he molecular mechanism that drives them to develop into either sperm, the male reproductive cell, or an egg, the female reproductive cell, has been elusive.

"The germ cells were regarded as passive cells that are regulated by other cells," said reproductive biologist Minoru Tanaka of Japan's National Institute for Basic Biology.

"In spite of the environment surrounding the germ cells being female, the fact that functional sperm has been made surprised me greatly. That this sexual switch present in the germ cells is independent of the body's sex is an entirely new finding," added fellow National Institute for Basic Biology reproductive biologist Toshiya Nishimura.

Findings of the study could help researchers learn more about how the sexual fate of germ cells is determined during vertebrate development.

According to findings, germ cells in these fish, and potentially other vertebrates, do not need to be in the environment of the male reproductive organ to begin their switch into sperm.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Science.