Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in Vertebrates / Edition 1

by Alberto J. Solari

Overview

The cloning of the SRY gene and the attainment of XX mice transgenic for the Sry gene opened a new era in research on sex determination. This book surveys current knowledge of sex chromosomes and sex determination in all vertebrate classes, relying on the restriction of genetic recombination in sex chromosomes as the unifying concept of this subject. The book's interdisciplinary approach integrates contributions from the fields of cytogenetics, molecular biology, developmental biology, and evolutionary genetics. A detailed treatment of the meiotic behavior of sex chromosomes is featured, and the entire text is supplemented by numerous schemes, drawings, and electron micrographs.
The book will be valuable to general cytogeneticists, vertebrate zoologists, and veterinarian and medical practitioners interested in the foundations of sex determination and the current knowledge of sex chromosomes. It will also interest students in advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in these areas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780849345715
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/22/1993
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Solari, Alberto J., MD, PhD (Univ of Buenos Aires)

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Role of Sex Chromosomes. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in Amphibia. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in Reptiles. Sex Chromosomes, Sex Determination, and Meiosis in Birds. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in Mammals: The Monotremes. Sex Chromosomes in Metatherians (Marsupials). Sex Chromosomes in Eutherian Mammals: Gene Dosage Compensation. The XY Body and Partial Synapsis in Eutherian Mammals. Recombination in the XY Pair of Eutherian Mammals. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in the Mouse. Developmental and Genetic Aspects of Sex Determination in the Mouse. Unusual Gonosomal Systems: Lemmings and Akodon Rodents. Human Sex Chromosomes. Sex Chromosomes and Sex Determination in Fishes. Sex Chromosomes and Specialized Recombination Patterns. Appendix: The Discovery of Partial Synapsis.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Roger W. Melvold, PhD (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This book is intended to review the current state of knowledge about the structure and behavior of sex chromosomes in vertebrate animals. Specific chapters are devoted to fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals (including monotremes and marsupials), with the greatest in-depth coverage of the human and the mouse. In limiting the scope of the book, some topics are given limited coverage, particularly those dealing with chromosome structure and characterization at the molecular level. Furthermore, for several of the taxonomic categories, emphasis is given to selected representatives rather than to broader descriptive reviews. Considerable coverage is given to topics such as trends in evolution of sex chromosomes, environmental effects on sex chromosomes and sex determination, and the specialized aspects of synapsis and recombination involving sex chromosomes.
Purpose: The book is designed as an overview and does not provide in-depth descriptions of every system.
Audience: The book is aimed at geneticists and developmental biologists. It is not appropriate for the beginning student, but is aimed rather at the professional or advanced student with some knowledge of genetics and cytogenetics. It is appropriately written for this level.
Features: The black-and-white illustrations and photomicrographs are well done and instructive. Citations through 1992 are included, giving appropriate guidance for readers wishing to pursue specific topics in greater detail.
Assessment: The book would be a useful acquisition for the professional geneticist or developmental biologists with an interest in sex chromosomes or sex determination and for libraries and bookstores. It is probably not appropriate for use as a classroom text.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

This book is intended to review the current state of knowledge about the structure and behavior of sex chromosomes in vertebrate animals. Specific chapters are devoted to fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals (including monotremes and marsupials), with the greatest in-depth coverage of the human and the mouse. In limiting the scope of the book, some topics are given limited coverage, particularly those dealing with chromosome structure and characterization at the molecular level. Furthermore, for several of the taxonomic categories, emphasis is given to selected representatives rather than to broader descriptive reviews. Considerable coverage is given to topics such as trends in evolution of sex chromosomes, environmental effects on sex chromosomes and sex determination, and the specialized aspects of synapsis and recombination involving sex chromosomes. The book is designed as an overview and does not provide in-depth descriptions of every system. The book is aimed at geneticists and developmental biologists. It is not appropriate for the beginning student, but is aimed rather at the professional or advanced student with some knowledge of genetics and cytogenetics. It is appropriately written for this level. The black-and-white illustrations and photomicrographs are well done and instructive. Citations through 1992 are included, giving appropriate guidance for readers wishing to pursue specific topics in greater detail. The book would be a useful acquisition for the professional geneticist or developmental biologists with an interest in sex chromosomes or sex determination and for libraries and bookstores. It is probably not appropriate for use as a classroom text.

Roger W. Melvold