• Monday June 7th at 12pm: BCCA Research Seminar Series - “Sex differentiation of the external genitalia: Lessons from the hyena and mouse” by Dr. Gerald Cunha

Abstract:  Development of the external genitalia will be explored in the spotted hyena and the mouse from the perspective of the potential role of estrogen.  The spotted hyena is an unusual animal in which the external genitalia of the female is profoundly masculinized, while internal genitalia are normal.  The female spotted hyena lacks an external vaginal orifice, and has a 5-6 inch clitoris.  The canal within the clitoris is used for urination, is the birth canal and receives the male during mating.  Our studies of this species have revealed aspects of external genitalia development that are androgen-independent, androgen-dependent, and estrogen-dependent.  The role of estrogen in external genitalia development has been further explored through analysis of a variety of “estrogen mutant” mice.  Taken together our data support the idea that estrogen (in addition to androgen) plays a role in sex differentiation of the external genitalia.

Bio:  Dr. Cunha is Professor of Anatomy, Obstetrics/Gynaecology and Urology at the University of California in San Francisco.  He completed his PhD in Anatomy from the University of Chicago.  Dr. Cunha is a national and international leader in epithelial-stromal interactions. Through his pioneering work on sex hormones and epithelial-stromal interactions in both male and female reproductive systems, he has demonstrated that for all three classes of steroids (i.e. androgens, estrogens, and progesterone) epithelial proliferation is regulated in vivo through paracrine mechanisms via the appropriate hormone receptors in the stromal cells. Dr. Cunha is responsible for establishing the paracrine concept in Endocriology.  He is also a pioneer in developing renal capsule grafting method.  He has published over 400 papers.