Figure 5.

Quantitative analysis of WNT4 expression and testosterone in developing gonads. (a) Relative expression of WNT4 mRNA against a reference of 18S mRNA (means ± s.e.m) for female (○) and male (●) gonads from the last 3 days of the 26.5 day gestation to day 40–49 post partum. Ages in parentheses indicate actual range of ages in the samples assayed. In females, WNT4 expression increased sharply between day 4–8 pp and 9–14 pp coinciding with morphological differentiation of the ovary. Relative expression then declined gradually to days 40–49 pp. In males, WNT4 expression fell sharply between fetal stages and day 1–3 pp coinciding with morphological differentiation of the testis. WNT4 expression gradually rose from day 9 to reach levels similar to those seen in females at day 40–49 pp. (b) Testicular (●) and ovarian (○) testosterone concentrations (ng/mg) throughout the first 50 days post partum. From [29]