Expression of genes involved in testis differentiation.

<p>Expression levels of the <i>SRY</i>, <i>DMRT1</i>, <i>SOX9</i> and <i>AMH</i> genes were determined in males (black bars) and females (grey bars) by quantitative RT-PCR, as described in the Materials and Methods. The levels of expression are given as percentages after normalisation to the highest level (100%). Values are means +/− sem of expression levels determined on gonads from at least 3 animals per stage. The horizontal scale indicates the age of the rabbit in d<i>pc</i> (days <i>post coitum</i>) and d<i>pp</i> (days <i>post partum</i>). ad = adults, 2-year old rabbit. Note that at 120 and 180 d<i>pp</i>, only testes were collected and analysed. <b>C2, D2</b>: immunofluorescence detection of SOX9 (C2) and AMH (D2) on paraffin sections of gonads. The antibody against SOX9 specifically stains the nuclei of Sertoli cells (male gonad at 28 d<i>pp</i>). The white arrows label some of the Sertoli cells. The antibody against AMH stains the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells (gonads at 20 d<i>pc</i>).