A study published in Nature highlights that pregnant mice suffering from iron deficiency can give birth to genetically male fetuses that develop ovaries instead of the expected testes. This finding challenges the established belief that biological sex is strictly governed by genetic coding. The research underscores the role of maternal nutrition in fetal development, as the iron is crucial for the SRY protein production, which typically results in male traits. The implications of this study could be significant, though human applicability remains uncertain as the biological complexities of sex determination vary widely across species.
A new study reveals that iron-deficient pregnant mice can have genetically male fetuses that develop ovaries, challenging the notion that biological sex is solely determined by sex chromosomes.
This research indicates that nutritional status can influence biological development, suggesting a potential mechanism where iron deficiency leads to the development of ovaries in XY fetuses, rather than the expected male traits.
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