Molecular regulation of marsupial reproduction and development

Abstract

The three extant mammalian lineages are primarily defined by their differing strategies of reproduction. Monotremes lay eggs while eutherians generally have a long period of gestation and give birth to well developed young. Marsupials sit between the two strategies and have a relatively short gestation, giving birth to poorly developed young that complete the majority of their early development external to the mother while suckling. This unique reproductive strategy provides an ideal mammalian model system in which to study and manipulate early development. Here we summarise our current understanding of the molecular regulation of marsupial reproduction and development, and highlight how marsupial studies have informed our understanding of the function of genes in mammalian development.