H-Y antigen and sex determination in animals.

In all instances described, H-Y antigen was found when testes were present. Extragonadal tissues in androgen-insensitive individuals with TFS were typed H-Y+, indicating that this cell surface component is hormone-independent. Thus, association of H-Y antigen and primary sex determination is reinforced. But variation in the degree of masculinization observed in certain mammalian intersexes (e.g., polled goats) is not explained by simple H-Y antigen dosage effects. Additional genetic and/or intrauterine modifiers may influence both gonadal and somatic tissue target cell sensitivity to hormones.