The Dazh gene is expressed in male and female embryonic gonads before germ cell sex differentiation.

The autosomal homologs of the human Y-chromosomal DAZ gene (DAZH and Dazh in human and mouse, respectively) are strong candidate for Azoospermia factor and encode a testis specific RNA-binding proteins. We studied the expression pattern of the mouse Dazh during embryonic development by using Northern-blotting of developing gonads. In the mouse, we have detected 3.5 kb and 4.5 kb transcripts in male and female embryonic gonads at 12.5 dpc (days post coitum). During this period, the only germ cells present in the gonad are primordial germ cells. Dazh transcripts were not detected in embryonic gonads of mice that lack germ cells because of mutation in W gene, suggesting that expression is limited to germ-cells. In females, oogonia enter meiosis at 13.5-14.5 dpc: at this time Dazh transcription levels are similar to those of the male (when prospermatogonia are in the male gonad). Transcription levels decrease steadily after birth as the number of oocytes is depleted and is hardly detectable by puberty. A human DAZH transcript was also detected by Northern-blotting in the human ovary in levels which are of about 100 fold lower than those observed in the human testis. The expression of the Dazh in male and female gonad before germ cell sex differentiation suggests that these genes may act at the first phase of male and female gametogenesis.