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Embryonic temperature determines adult sexuality in a reptile

Nature volume 332, pages 832–834 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Gonadal differentiation in amniote vertebrates is controlled by one of two mechanisms: genotypic sex determination (GSD) or environmental sex determination (ESD)1. After differentiation the fetal gonad produces sex steroid hormones which govern the development of other components of sexuality2,3. Thus, the primary sex determiner is thought to operate solely as a trigger that initiates a cascade of events culminating in adult sex differences. In the leopard gecko (Eublephans macularius), gonadal and morphological sex is determined by incubation temperature, with relatively 'hot' temperatures (32 °C) resulting in mostly male offspring and relatively 'cold' temperatures (26 °C) resulting in only female offspring4,5. We report here that the reproductive behaviour and endocrine physiology of an adult is influenced by the temperature experienced as an embryo. Also, the perception of a female to courtship by a male is influenced by incubation temperature. These data indicate that incubation temperature, the primary determiner of sex in this species, has differential effects on adult sexuality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee, 38152, USA

    W. H. N. Gutzke

  2. Institute of Reproductive Biology, Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA

    David Crews

Authors
  1. W. H. N. Gutzke
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  2. David Crews
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Gutzke, W., Crews, D. Embryonic temperature determines adult sexuality in a reptile. Nature 332, 832–834 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/332832a0

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