-
Scientific Reports May 2024Adult vertebrate cartilage is usually quiescent. Some vertebrates possess ocular scleral skeletons composed of cartilage or bone. The morphological characteristics of...
Adult vertebrate cartilage is usually quiescent. Some vertebrates possess ocular scleral skeletons composed of cartilage or bone. The morphological characteristics of the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) scleral skeleton have not been described. Here we assessed the scleral skeletons of cultured spotted wolffish, a globally threatened marine species. The healthy spotted wolffish we assessed had scleral skeletons with a low percentage of cells staining for the chondrogenesis marker sex-determining region Y-box (Sox) 9, but harboured a population of intraocular cells that co-express immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Sox9. Scleral skeletons of spotted wolffish with grossly observable eye abnormalities displayed a high degree of perochondrial activation as evidenced by cellular morphology and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and phosphotyrosine. Cells staining for cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 and IgM accumulated around sites of active chondrogenesis, which contained cells that strongly expressed Sox9. The level of scleral chondrogenesis and the numbers of scleral cartilage PCNA positive cells increased with the temperature of the water in which spotted wolffish were cultured. Our results provide new knowledge of differing Sox9 spatial tissue expression patterns during chondrogenesis in normal control and ocular insult paradigms. Our work also provides evidence that spotted wolffish possess an inherent scleral chondrogenesis response that may be sensitive to temperature. This work also advances the fundamental knowledge of teleost ocular skeletal systems.
Topics: Animals; Chondrogenesis; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Sclera; Temperature; Immunoglobulin M; Eye; Water; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Cartilage
PubMed: 38822021
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63370-8 -
PloS One 2024Genetic sex-determining mechanisms have been extensively elucidated in mammals; however, the sex chromosomes, sex-determining genes, and gene regulatory networks...
Genetic sex-determining mechanisms have been extensively elucidated in mammals; however, the sex chromosomes, sex-determining genes, and gene regulatory networks involved in sex differentiation remain poorly understood in amphibians. In this study, we investigated the sex-determining mechanism in the Hyla eximia treefrog based on karyotypic analysis and identification of H-Y antigen, a sex-linked peptide that is present in the gonads of the heterogametic sex (XY or ZW) in all vertebrates. Results show a diploid chromosome number 2n = 24 with homomorphic sex chromosomes. The heterogametic sex, ZW-female, were hypothesized based on H-Y antigen mRNA expression in female gonads (24,ZZ/24,ZW). The treefrog H-Y peptide exhibited a high percentage of identity with other vertebrate sequences uploaded to GenBank database. To obtain gene expression profiles, we also obtained the coding sequence of the housekeeping Actb gene. High H-Y antigen expression levels were further confirmed in ovaries using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during non-breeding season, we noted a decrease in the expression of the H-Y antigen during breeding season. This study provides evidence that sex hormones might suppress H-Y antigen expression in the gonads of heterogametic females 24,ZW during the breeding season. These findings suggest that H-Y gene expression is a well-suited model for studying heterogametic sex by comparing the male and female gonads.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Sex Determination Processes; Anura; Ovary; Sex Chromosomes; Gonads; Amino Acid Sequence
PubMed: 38820287
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304554 -
BMC Ecology and Evolution May 2024Ctenoluciidae is a Neotropical freshwater fish family composed of two genera, Ctenolucius (C. beani and C. hujeta) and Boulengerella (B. cuvieri, B. lateristriga, B....
Ctenoluciidae is a Neotropical freshwater fish family composed of two genera, Ctenolucius (C. beani and C. hujeta) and Boulengerella (B. cuvieri, B. lateristriga, B. lucius, B. maculata, and B. xyrekes), which present diploid number conservation of 36 chromosomes and a strong association of telomeric sequences with ribosomal DNAs. In the present study, we performed chromosomal mapping of microsatellites and transposable elements (TEs) in Boulengerella species and Ctenolucius hujeta. We aim to understand how those sequences are distributed in these organisms' genomes and their influence on the chromosomal evolution of the group. Our results indicate that repetitive sequences may had an active role in the karyotypic diversification of this family, especially in the formation of chromosomal hotspots that are traceable in the diversification processes of Ctenoluciidae karyotypes. We demonstrate that (GATA)n sequences also accumulate in the secondary constriction formed by the 18 S rDNA site, which shows consistent size heteromorphism between males and females in all Boulengerella species, suggesting an initial process of sex chromosome differentiation.
Topics: Animals; Characiformes; Male; Chromosome Mapping; Female; Retroelements; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; Evolution, Molecular; Microsatellite Repeats; Karyotype; Chromosomes
PubMed: 38816840
DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02262-x -
Scientific Reports May 2024The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Sox9-Cre-directed Nr5a1-conditional knockout (Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1) on adrenal development. We showed that SOX9 is...
The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Sox9-Cre-directed Nr5a1-conditional knockout (Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1) on adrenal development. We showed that SOX9 is expressed by adrenocortical cells at E10.5-E11.5 but is extinguished no later than E12.5. The number of adrenocortical cells significantly reduced in Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1 mice while the number of cleaved caspase 3-positive cells increased compared to that in the controls at E11.5-E12.5, when the adrenal primordium (AP) is about to expand. This indicated that fetal adrenocortical cells are lost via apoptosis due to Nr5a1 ablation by E12.5. Both medulla formation and encapsulation were perturbed, accompanied by a smaller AP size, in Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1 mice during embryonic development. Adult Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1 adrenals were hypoplastic and exhibited irregular organization of the medulla with aberrant sex differentiation in the X zone. Additionally, there were histologically eosin-negative vacuolated cells, which were negative for both the X-zone marker 20αHSD and the steroidogenesis marker 3βHSD at the innermost cortex of Sox9-Cre;Nr5a1 adrenals. Although Nr5a1 adrenals were hypoplastic, a small number of chromaffin cells were properly located in the center, having normal sex differences in the X-zone. The results collectively provided in-vivo evidence that Nr5a1 plays a critical role in AP expansion and subsequent adrenal development.
Topics: Animals; SOX9 Transcription Factor; Mice; Steroidogenic Factor 1; Adrenal Glands; Integrases; Mice, Knockout; Female; Male
PubMed: 38811798
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63264-9 -
Archives of Oral Biology May 2024This paper investigates whether deciduous upper molars and lower canines have sexual dimorphic features, exploring these teeth' dimensions and the presence of...
OBJECTIVE
This paper investigates whether deciduous upper molars and lower canines have sexual dimorphic features, exploring these teeth' dimensions and the presence of Zuckerkandl's tubercle and Carabelli's cusp on the first and second upper molars.
DESIGN
We analyzed 64 pairs of dental plaster casts from 34 females and 30 males aged between 3 and 12 years. We measured the first and second deciduous upper molars and the lower deciduous canines (maximum mesiodistal and buccolingual length), and we registered the presence of the Zuckerkandl's tubercle and the Carabelli's cusp on the first and second upper molars, respectively.
RESULTS
Regarding the differentiation between sexes using Carabelli's cusp and Zuckerkandl's tubercle, the classification was not independent of Carabelli's cusp presence only for tooth 65 (p = 0.035). In all other teeth, whether for Carabelli's cusp or Zuckerkandl's tubercle, their presence was similar for both sexes. There were statistically significant differences between sexes (p < 0.05) for the buccolingual measurements of both upper second molars, the first right upper molar, and the right canine. The developed model allowed for a 64.1% accuracy in sex estimation.
CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that while Carabelli's cusp and Zuckerkandl's tubercle in upper deciduous molars don't consistently differ between sexes, tooth size, particularly the buccolingual measurements of certain teeth, including upper deciduous molars and lower canines, may provide a more reliable criterion for sex estimation. The developed model depicted moderate accuracy, underscoring the need for a multifactorial approach when estimating sex from skeletal remains. It suggests that while dental features can contribute to sex estimation, they should be used in conjunction with other skeletal or molecular markers to improve accuracy.
PubMed: 38810388
DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.106006 -
Plant Diversity Mar 2024When benefiting other beneficiaries, cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects. The feedback effects on different sex morphs, however, remains unclear. In...
When benefiting other beneficiaries, cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects. The feedback effects on different sex morphs, however, remains unclear. In this study, taking the gynodioecious as a model species, we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio, and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios. The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites. Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites. These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity, and female cushion . may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production, while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production. The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries. In addition, strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites, but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs. However, the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females, suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites. All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion , with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites. Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs, in long-term perspective, may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.
PubMed: 38807903
DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2023.07.002 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... May 2024Regulation of transcription during embryogenesis is key to development and differentiation. To study transcript expression throughout embryogenesis at single-molecule...
Regulation of transcription during embryogenesis is key to development and differentiation. To study transcript expression throughout embryogenesis at single-molecule resolution, we developed a high-throughput single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) method that relies on computational methods to developmentally stage embryos and quantify individual mRNA molecules in single embryos. We applied our system to , a zygotically transcribed gene essential for hermaphrodite development and dosage compensation. We found that is rapidly activated during early embryogenesis by increasing both the number of mRNAs produced per transcription site and the frequency of sites engaged in transcription. Knockdown of and , a subunit of the dosage compensation complex (DCC), increased the number of active transcription sites for the X chromosomal gene but not the autosomal gene , suggesting that the DCC reduces the frequency of transcription. The temporal resolution from staging of embryos showed that the deletion of a single DCC recruitment element near the gene causes higher mRNA expression after the start of dosage compensation, which could not be resolved using mRNAseq from mixed-stage embryos. In summary, we have established a computational approach to quantify temporal regulation of transcription throughout embryogenesis and demonstrated its potential to provide new insights into developmental gene regulation.
PubMed: 38798598
DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594414 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Cranial radiotherapy is a major treatment for leukemia and brain tumors. Our previous study found abscopal effects of cranial irradiation could cause spermatogenesis...
Cranial radiotherapy is a major treatment for leukemia and brain tumors. Our previous study found abscopal effects of cranial irradiation could cause spermatogenesis disorder in mice. However, the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In the study, adult male C57BL/6 mice were administrated with 20 Gy X-ray cranial irradiation (5 Gy per day for 4 days consecutively) and sacrificed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics of testis was combined with bioinformatics analysis to identify key molecules and signal pathways related to spermatogenesis at 4 weeks after cranial irradiation. GO analysis showed that spermatogenesis was closely related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Severe oxidative stress occurred in testis, serum and brain, while serious inflammation also occurred in testis and serum. Additionally, the sex hormones related to hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis were disrupted. PI3K/Akt pathway was activated in testis, which upstream molecule SCF/C-Kit was significantly elevated. Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation ability of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were altered. These findings suggest that cranial irradiation can cause spermatogenesis disorder through brain-blood-testicular cascade oxidative stress, inflammation and the secretory dysfunction of HPG axis, and SCF/C-kit drive this process through activating PI3K/Akt pathway.
Topics: Animals; Male; Spermatogenesis; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; Oxidative Stress; Cranial Irradiation; Testis; Signal Transduction; Stem Cell Factor; Inflammation
PubMed: 38795418
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116504 -
Biomedicines Apr 2024In the biomedical field, the differentiation between sex and gender is crucial for enhancing the understanding of human health and personalizing medical treatments,... (Review)
Review
Investigating and Practicing Orthopedics at the Intersection of Sex and Gender: Understanding the Physiological Basis, Pathology, and Treatment Response of Orthopedic Conditions by Adopting a Gender Lens: A Narrative Overview.
In the biomedical field, the differentiation between sex and gender is crucial for enhancing the understanding of human health and personalizing medical treatments, particularly within the domain of orthopedics. This distinction, often overlooked or misunderstood, is vital for dissecting and treating musculoskeletal conditions effectively. This review delves into the sex- and gender-specific physiology of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, highlighting how hormonal differences impact the musculoskeletal system's structure and function, and exploring the physiopathology of orthopedic conditions from an epidemiological, molecular, and clinical perspective, shedding light on the discrepancies in disease manifestation across sexes. Examples such as the higher rates of deformities (adolescent idiopathic and adult degenerative scoliosis and hallux valgus) in females and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women illustrate the critical role of sex and gender in orthopedic health. Additionally, the review addresses the morbidity-mortality paradox, where women, despite appearing less healthy on frailty indexes, show lower mortality rates, highlighting the complex interplay between biological and social determinants of health. Injuries and chronic orthopedic conditions such osteoarthritis exhibit gender- and sex-specific prevalence and progression patterns, necessitating a nuanced approach to treatment that considers these differences to optimize outcomes. Moreover, the review underscores the importance of recognizing the unique needs of sexual minority and gender-diverse individuals in orthopedic care, emphasizing the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy on aspects like bone health and perioperative risks. To foster advancements in sex- and gender-specific orthopedics, we advocate for the strategic disaggregation of data by sex and gender and the inclusion of "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" (SOGI) data in research and clinical practice. Such measures can enrich clinical insights, ensure tailored patient care, and promote inclusivity within orthopedic treatments, ultimately enhancing the precision and effectiveness of care for diverse patient populations. Integrating sex and gender considerations into orthopedic research and practice is paramount for addressing the complex and varied needs of patients. By embracing this comprehensive approach, orthopedic medicine can move towards more personalized, effective, and inclusive treatment strategies, thereby improving patient outcomes and advancing the field.
PubMed: 38790936
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12050974 -
Genes May 2024The estrogen receptor signaling pathway plays an important role in vertebrate embryonic development and sexual differentiation. There are four major estrogen receptors...
The estrogen receptor signaling pathway plays an important role in vertebrate embryonic development and sexual differentiation. There are four major estrogen receptors in zebrafish: , , and . However, the specific role of different estrogen receptors in zebrafish is not clear. To investigate the role of in zebrafish development and reproduction, this study utilized TALENs technology to generate an knockout homozygous zebrafish line. The number of eggs laid by knockout female zebrafish did not differ significantly from that of wild zebrafish. The embryonic development process of wild-type and knockout zebrafish was observed, revealing a significant developmental delay in the knockout zebrafish. Additionally, mortality rates were significantly higher in knockout zebrafish than in their wild-type counterparts at 24 hpf. The reciprocal cross experiment between knockout zebrafish and wild-type zebrafish revealed that the absence of resulted in a decline in the quality of zebrafish oocytes, while having no impact on sperm cells. The knockout of also led to an abnormal sex ratio in the adult zebrafish population, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 1:7. The quantitative PCR (qPCR) and in situ hybridization results demonstrated a significant downregulation of expression in knockout embryos compared to wild-type embryos throughout development (at 2 dpf, 3 dpf and 4 dpf). Additionally, the estrogen-mediated induction expression of was attenuated, while the estradiol-induced upregulated expression of was disrupted. These results suggest that is involved in regulating zebrafish oocyte development and sex differentiation.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Female; Male; Zebrafish Proteins; Sex Ratio; Aromatase; Embryonic Development; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gene Knockout Techniques; Estrogen Receptor beta; Sex Differentiation; Oocytes
PubMed: 38790265
DOI: 10.3390/genes15050636