Abstract
Conclusions and summary
Continuation of experiments on sex determination. particularly with Xenopus. led to the conclusion that the primary inductors, corticin (of follicle cells) and medullarin (of interstitial cells) are antigens. The corresponding anti-corticin and anti-medullarin, suppressing the contrary inductor system, are responsible for the unisexual (gonochoristic) development of each individual. Normally the decision of cortical (female) or medullary (male) prevalence depends on the quantitative relationship between sex determining genes. Experimental reversal of this influence does not produce, or depend on, any perceptible temporary or permanent change in gene composition or function. If administered at a short critical period of sex determination (St. 26/27), estradiol causes ZZ larvae to develop permanently as females. This effect is brought about by depression of the medullary inductor system. The possibly ensuing development of hermaphrodite glands indicates that selectively the capacity of antibody (anti-corticin) formation is more generally affected than that of the antigen (medullarin).
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