The relation of the growing müllerian duct to the wolffian duct and its importance for the genesis of malformations

Gruenwald, Peter

doi:10.1002/ar.1090810102

Cited by 228 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Based on genetic markers, the same study revealed that, in spite of its epithelial morphology, MD epithelium expresses mesenchymal markers and could thus be considered as a meso-epithelium tissue (like the coelomic epithelium which also expresses epithelial and mesenchymal markers) (Orvis and Behringer 2007). Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that WD experimental interruption leads to MD incomplete formation, highlighting the link between Wolffian and Müllerian ducts (Gruenwald 1941). More recent data have allowed to precise this information.…”

Section: Müllerian Duct Formationmentioning

confidence: 93%

The developing female genital tract: from genetics to epigenetics

Massé¹,

Watrin²,

Laurent³

et al. 2009

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

115

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The mammalian female reproductive tract develops from the Müllerian ducts which differentiate, in a cranial to caudal direction, into oviducts, uterine horns, cervix and the anterior vagina. The developmental processes taking place during this organogenesis are notably under the control of steroid hormones, such as members of the Wnt and Hox families, which regulate key developmental genes. At later stages, steroid hormones also participate in the development of the female genital tract. Chemical compounds homologous to steroids can thus act as agonists or antagonists in fetuses exposed to them. These so-called endocrine disruptors are nowadays found in increasing amounts in the environment and may therefore have a particular impact on such developing organs. Epidemiological studies have revealed that endocrine disruptors have had drastic effects on female health and fertility during the last decades. Furthermore, these adverse effects might be transmitted to subsequent generations through epigenetic modifications. Given the potential hazard of inherited epigenetic marks altering reproduction and/or human health, such molecular mechanisms must be urgently investigated. This review aims to summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in female genital tract development, to highlight key genes involved in this process and to present epigenetic mechanisms triggered by endocrine disruptors and their consequences in regard to female reproductive tract development. KEY WORDS: genital tract, Hox, Wnt, genetics, epigenetics Development of the urogenital system Relation between urinary and genital tractsMammalian genital tract development is closely related to the urinary system embryogenesis. This relation is ancient in evolution and phylogenetically well conserved. In simple organisms like annelids, they both consist in metamerized nephritic tubules composed of a ciliated funnel oriented towards the coelomic cavity and connected to a vascularised duct that opens to the exterior. This system is involved in metabolites and mature genital cells excretion. In higher vertebrates, the urogenital apparatus comprises the kidneys, gonads, urinary and reproductive ducts. The urinary tract embryonic formation is the result of a three steps process that gives rise to three successive structures emerging rostrocaudally in the intermediate mesoderm. Nephrotomes first develop in the cervical part of the embryo; they consist in a ciliated funnel emerging in the coelomic cavity and in a nephritic tubule Int. J. Dev. Biol. 53: 411-424 (2009) doi: 10.1387/ijdb.082680jm connected to a common excretory duct (the Wolffian duct, WD). At this stage, they form a primitive kidney called pronephros which is not functional. This transitory organ can only be observed in vertebrate embryos and agnathe larvae (Saxen and Sariola 1987;Bouchard et al. 2002). Then, while the pronephros is regressing, the mesonephros develops posteriorly, allowing the WD to grow in the same direction. This intermediary kidney, comprising a Bowman ...

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Section: Müllerian Duct Formationmentioning

confidence: 93%

The developing female genital tract: from genetics to epigenetics

Massé¹,

Watrin²,

Laurent³

et al. 2009

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

115

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“…Experimental interruption of the Wolffian duct in chick embryos resulted in Müllerian duct growth defects (Gruenwald, 1941); however, it is unclear how the Wolffian duct is required for Müllerian duct development. Our data suggest that the Wolffian duct is essential for both elongation and maintenance of the Müllerian duct, but not for initiation.…”

Section: Wolffian Duct Supports Müllerian Duct Elongation and Maintenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distinct and sequential tissue-specific activities of the LIM-class homeobox geneLim1for tubular morphogenesis during kidney development

et al. 2005

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Kidney organogenesis requires the morphogenesis of epithelial tubules. Inductive interactions between the branching ureteric buds and the metanephric mesenchyme lead to mesenchyme-to-epithelium transitions and tubular morphogenesis to form nephrons, the functional units of the kidney. The LIM-class homeobox gene Lim1 is expressed in the intermediate mesoderm, nephric duct, mesonephric tubules, ureteric bud, pretubular aggregates and their derivatives. Lim1-null mice lack kidneys because of a failure of nephric duct formation, precluding studies of the role of Lim1 at later stages of kidney development. Here, we show that Lim1 functions in distinct tissue compartments of the developing metanephros for both proper development of the ureteric buds and the patterning of renal vesicles for nephron formation. These observations suggest that Lim1 has essential roles in multiple steps of epithelial tubular morphogenesis during kidney organogenesis. We also demonstrate that the nephric duct is essential for the elongation and maintenance of the adjacent Müllerian duct, the anlage of the female reproductive tract.

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“…For this reason, embryologic anomaly of one Wolffian ducts may cause unilateral renal agenesis associated with imperforate hemivagina (4,11). This hypothesis is supported by Gruenwald's experiment in chick embryos, where ipsilateral renal and Mullerian duct anomalies were produced following the destruction of the caudal portion of the mesonephros (12). On the affected side, Mullerian ducts cannot fuse, resulting in a didelphic uterus, and cannot come into contact with the urogenital sinus centrally, forming two separate vaginas with one obstructed (3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Some time after menarche, the retention of menstrual blood in the obstructed hemivagina leads to the formation of a haematocolpos, which is usually clinically detected as a pelvic mass. A right sided prevalence of the obstructed system has been mentioned in the literature (7,12,13). Diagnosis may be further delayed if a communication between the two vaginas exists (3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (uterus didelphys, blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis) - a case report

Arıkan¹,

Harma²,

Harma³

et al. 2010

J Turkish German Gynecol Assoc

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Uterovaginal duplication with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis is referred to as the Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome. A 17 year old woman presented with right pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, present since menarche at 13 and worsening over the past year. Ultrasound examination revealed a right pelvic mass (5x5 cm), double endometrial echoes, and hematocolpos. A right pelvic mass, agenesis of the right kidney, double uterus, and blind hemivagina with hematocolpos were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and intravenous pyelography. A right tubo-ovarian abscess with dense adhesions and a double uterus were observed on diagnostic laparoscopy. Adhesiolysis was carried out and purulent material irrigated. After a course of antibiotics, a vaginal septum resection was performed and the pyocolpos drained. She remained symptom free after four months of follow-up. Prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome can significantly improve the lives of sufferers and prevent future complications. (J Turkish-German Gynecol Assoc 2010; 11: 107-9)

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The relation of the growing müllerian duct to the wolffian duct and its importance for the genesis of malformations

Cited by 228 publications

References 7 publications

The developing female genital tract: from genetics to epigenetics

The developing female genital tract: from genetics to epigenetics

Distinct and sequential tissue-specific activities of the LIM-class homeobox geneLim1for tubular morphogenesis during kidney development

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (uterus didelphys, blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis) - a case report

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