DIFFERENTIATED ASPECT OF FEMALE AND MALE-MOUSE MESONEPHROI

In the mouse, Sry is expressed by somatic cells in the genital ridge a nd leads to initiate the transformation of the indifferent gonad into a testis. Here, we have examined the segmented female and male mesonep hroi over the developmental period when the initiation of seminiferous cord formation takes place. We have generated three-dimensional model s which reveal structural differences between male and female mesoneph ric tubules at 11.5, 13.5 and 14.5 days post coitum. We evaluate, foll owing structural parameters, that form and orientation of the tubules could evolve differently in both sexes. We propose that the structural organization of the mesonephric tubules presents an early dimorphism.