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BMC Genomics Mar 2016Female reproductive potential plays a significant role in the survival and stability of species, and sexual maturation and mating processes are crucial. However, our...
BACKGROUND
Female reproductive potential plays a significant role in the survival and stability of species, and sexual maturation and mating processes are crucial. However, our knowledge of the reproductive genes involved in sexual maturation and mating has been largely limited to model organisms. The oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis is a highly invasive agricultural pest, known to cause major economic losses; thus, it is of great value to understand the transcriptional changes involved in sexual maturation and mating processes as well as the related genes. Here, we used a high-throughput sequencing method to identify multiple genes potentially involved in sexual maturation and mating in female B. dorsalis.
RESULTS
We sequenced 39,999 unique genes with an average length of 883 bp. In total, 3264 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between mature virgin and immature Bactrocera dorsalis libraries, whereas only 83 DEGs were identified between flies that had mated or were mature virgins. These DEGs were functionally annotated using the GO and KEGG pathway annotation tools. Results showed that the main GO terms associated with the DEGs from the mature virgin vs. immature groups were primarily assigned to the metabolic and developmental processes, which we focused on, whereas those from the mated vs. mature virgin group largely belonged to the response to stimulus and immune system processes. Additionally, we identified multiple DEGs during sexual maturation that are involved in reproduction, and expression pattern analysis revealed that the majority DEGs detected were highly enriched in those linked to the ovaries or fat bodies. Several mating responsive genes differentially expressed after mating were also identified, and all antimicrobial peptides detected were highly enriched in fat body and significantly up-regulated approximately 2- to 10-fold at 24 h after mating.
CONCLUSION
This study supplied female reproductive genes involved in sexual maturation and the post-mating response in B. dorsalis, based on RNA-seq. Our data will facilitate molecular research related to reproduction and provide abundant target genes for effective control of this agricultural pest.
Topics: Animals; Female; Genes, Insect; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Reproduction; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Sexual Maturation; Tephritidae; Transcriptome
PubMed: 26946038
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2532-6 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Schistosomes are the only mammalian flatworms that have evolved separate sexes. A key question of schistosome research is the male-dependent sexual maturation of the...
INTRODUCTION
Schistosomes are the only mammalian flatworms that have evolved separate sexes. A key question of schistosome research is the male-dependent sexual maturation of the female since a constant pairing contact with a male is required for the onset of gonad development in the female. Although this phenomenon is long known, only recently a first peptide-based pheromone of males was identified that contributes to the control of female sexual development. Beyond this, our understanding of the molecular principles inducing the substantial developmental changes in a paired female is still rudimentary.
OBJECTIVES
Previous transcriptomic studies have consistently pointed to neuronal genes being differentially expressed and upregulated in paired males. These genes included Smp_135230 and Smp_171580, both annotated as aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylases (DOPA decarboxylases). Here, we characterized both genes and investigated their roles in male-female interaction of .
METHODOLOGIES/FINDINGS
Sequence analyses indicated that Smp_135230 represents an L-tyrosine decarboxylase (Sm), whereas Smp_171580 represents a DOPA decarboxylase (Sm). By qRT-PCR, we confirmed the male-specific and pairing-dependent expression of both genes with a significant bias toward paired males. RNA-interference experiments showed a strong influence of each gene on gonad differentiation in paired females, which was enhanced by double knockdown. Accordingly, egg production was significantly reduced. By confocal laser scanning microscopy, a failure of oocyte maturation was found in paired knockdown females. Whole-mount hybridization patterns exhibited the tissue-specific occurrence of both genes in particular cells at the ventral surface of the male, the gynecophoral canal, which represents the physical interface of both genders. These cells probably belong to the predicted neuronal cluster 2 of
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that Sm and Sm are male-competence factors that are expressed in neuronal cells at the contact zone between the genders as a response of pairing to subsequently control processes of female sexual maturation.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Schistosoma mansoni; Sexual Maturation; Schistosomatidae; Cell Differentiation; Gene Expression Profiling; Mammals
PubMed: 37305409
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1173557 -
Human Brain Mapping Jun 2010Adolescence refers to the period of physical and psychological development between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence is loosely anchored to the onset... (Review)
Review
Adolescence refers to the period of physical and psychological development between childhood and adulthood. The beginning of adolescence is loosely anchored to the onset of puberty, which brings dramatic alterations in hormone levels and a number of consequent physical changes. Puberty onset is also associated with profound changes in drives, motivations, psychology, and social life; these changes continue throughout adolescence. There is an increasing number of neuroimaging studies looking at the development of the brain, both structurally and functionally, during adolescence. Almost all of these studies have defined development by chronological age, which shows a strong-but not unitary-correlation with pubertal stage. Very few neuroimaging studies have associated brain development with pubertal stage, and yet there is tentative evidence to suggest that puberty might play an important role in some aspects of brain and cognitive development. In this paper we describe this research, and we suggest that, in the future, developmental neuroimaging studies of adolescence should consider the role of puberty.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Brain; Cognition; Hormones; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 20496383
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.21052 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Jun 2018The advent of genomic selection has led to increased interest within the cattle breeding industry to market semen from young bulls as early as possible. However, both... (Review)
Review
The advent of genomic selection has led to increased interest within the cattle breeding industry to market semen from young bulls as early as possible. However, both the quantity and quality of such semen is dictated by the age at which these animals reach puberty. Enhancing early life plane of nutrition of the bull stimulates a complex biochemical interplay involving metabolic and neuroendocrine signalling and culminating in enhanced testicular growth and development and earlier onset of sexual maturation. Recent evidence suggests that an enhanced plane of nutrition leads to an advancement of testicular development in bulls at 18 weeks of age. However, as of yet, much of the neuronal mechanisms regulating these developmental processes remain to be elucidated in the bull. While early life nutrition clearly affects the sexual maturation process in bulls, there is little evidence for latent effects on semen traits post-puberty. Equally the influence of prevailing nutritional status on the fertility of mature bulls is unclear though management practices that result in clinical or even subclinical metabolic disease can undoubtedly impact upon normal sexual function. Dietary supplements enriched with various polyunsaturated fatty acids or fortified with trace elements do not consistently affect reproductive function in the bull, certainly where animals are already adequately nourished. Further insight on how nutrition mediates the biochemical interaction between neuroendocrine and testicular processes will facilitate optimisation of nutritional regimens to optimise sexual maturation and subsequent semen production in bulls.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Fertility; Male; Nutritional Status; Semen; Sexual Maturation; Testis
PubMed: 29554994
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731118000514 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences May 2023Organisms use resource allocation strategies to survive seasonal environmental changes and life-history stage transitions. Earlier studies found a transcription...
Organisms use resource allocation strategies to survive seasonal environmental changes and life-history stage transitions. Earlier studies found a transcription cofactor, v associating with maturation timing that inhibits adipogenesis in mice and affects body condition in juvenile salmon. Owing to a lack of temporal studies examining seasonality effects on phenotypes such as genotype, body condition, maturation and different life stages, we investigated the influence of different larval and juvenile temperatures, genotype and interactions with body condition and maturation rate. We reared Atlantic salmon for 2 years in four larval-juvenile phase temperature groups until the occurrence of mature males. We found no effect of larval temperature on the measured phenotypes or maturation rate. However, we observed an increased maturation rate in individuals of the warm juvenile temperature treatment and differences in body condition associated with genotype. Early maturation genotype individuals had a less variable body condition across seasons compared with late maturation genotype individuals. This result suggests a influence on resource allocation strategies; possibly linked with the early maturation process, with early maturation genotype individuals having a higher maturation rate and a higher body condition in the spring.
Topics: Male; Animals; Mice; Seasons; Sexual Maturation; Genotype; Phenotype; Life Cycle Stages; Salmo salar
PubMed: 37253427
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0432 -
BMC Pediatrics Apr 2019This study aimed to determine the allometric exponents for concurrent size descriptors (stature, body mass and fat-free mass) and also to examine the contribution of...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to determine the allometric exponents for concurrent size descriptors (stature, body mass and fat-free mass) and also to examine the contribution of chronological age and pubertal status combined with above mentioned size descriptors to explain inter-individual variability in the peak of oxygen uptake (VO) among girls during circumpubertal years.
METHODS
The final sample included 51 girls (10.7-13.5 years). VO was derived from an incremental progressive maximal protocol using a motorized treadmill. Anthropometry included body mass, stature and skinfolds. Measurements were performed by a single trained observer. Sexual maturation was assessed as self-reported stage of pubic hair (PH) development. Static allometric models were explored as an alternative to physiological output per unit of size descriptors. Allometry also considered chronological age and sexual maturation as dummy variable (PH2 vs. PH3 and PH3 vs. PH4).
RESULTS
Scaling coefficients for stature, body mass and fat-free mass were 1.463 (95%CI: 0.476 to 2.449), 0.516 (95%CI: 0.367 to 0.666) and 0.723 (95%CI: 0.494 to 0.951), respectively. The inclusion of sexual maturation increased explained variance for VO (55% for PH2 vs. PH3 and 47% for PH3 vs. PH4). Body mass was identified as the most prominent body size descriptor in the PH2 vs. PH3 while fat-free mass was the most relevant predictor combined with PH3 vs. PH4.
CONCLUSIONS
Body mass and fat-free mass seemed to establish a non-linear relationship with VO. Across puberty, inter-individual variability in VO is explained by sexual maturation combined with whole body during early puberty and by sexual maturation and fat-free mass during late puberty. Additional studies need to confirm ontogenetic allometric models during years of maximal growth.
Topics: Adolescent; Body Composition; Body Size; Child; Exercise Test; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Oxygen Consumption; Physical Fitness; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 30961568
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1462-2 -
Current Biology : CB Oct 2005Red light triggers asexual development and represses sexual development in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. This response has been shown to require a phytochrome... (Review)
Review
Red light triggers asexual development and represses sexual development in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. This response has been shown to require a phytochrome red/far-red light photoreceptor, FphA, which is cytoplasmic and binds a tetrapyrrole chromophore. FphA exhibits similarities to both plant and bacterial phytochromes.
Topics: Aspergillus nidulans; Light; Photobiology; Photoreceptor Cells; Phytochrome; Reproduction, Asexual; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 16243020
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.10.001 -
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Jun 2011The onset of downstream migration of European eels is accompanied by a cessation of feeding and the start of sexual maturation which stresses the link between metabolism...
The onset of downstream migration of European eels is accompanied by a cessation of feeding and the start of sexual maturation which stresses the link between metabolism and sexual maturation, also suggesting an important role for exercise. Exercise has been tested with eels in swim tunnels and was found to stimulate the onset of sexual maturation. In this study, we have investigated the interplay between migration and maturation in the field during the downstream migration of female silver eels. Temporal changes in migratory status and sexual maturation among silver eels of the upstream Rhine River system over 3 months of the migration season (August, September and October) were determined in biometrical parameters, plasma 17β-estradiol and calcium levels, oocyte histology and gonadal fat levels. Furthermore, the ecological relevant parameters age as determined by otolithometry and health aspects indicated by haematocrit, haemoglobin and swim-bladder parasite load were measured. Silver eels were estimated to be 14 years old. A strong temporal progression in migratory stage was shown over the months of downstream migration. Catches probably represented a mix of reproductive migrants and feeding migrants of which the ratio increased over time. Furthermore, this study confirmed our hypothesis linking the migratory stage to early maturation as indicated by enlargement of the eyes, oocyte growth and fat deposition in the oocytes, exactly the same changes as found induced by exercise but not ruling out environmental influences. Migrants show extensive fat uptake by the oocytes, probably stimulated by the swimming exercise. In addition, at least 83% of the silver eels in this spawning run may have suffered from negative effects of swim-bladder parasites on their swimming performance.
Topics: Air Sacs; Anguilla; Animal Migration; Animals; Europe; Female; Models, Biological; Multivariate Analysis; Oocytes; Rivers; Sexual Maturation; Swimming; Vitellogenesis
PubMed: 21556699
DOI: 10.1007/s10695-011-9496-x -
Neuroendocrinology 2019To attain sexual competence, all mammalian species go through puberty, a maturational period during which body growth and development of secondary sexual characteristics... (Review)
Review
To attain sexual competence, all mammalian species go through puberty, a maturational period during which body growth and development of secondary sexual characteristics occur. Puberty begins when the diurnal pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release from the hypothalamus increases for a prolonged period of time, driving the adenohypophysis to increase the pulsatile release of luteinizing hormone with diurnal periodicity. Increased pubertal GnRH secretion does not appear to be driven by inherent changes in GnRH neuronal activity; rather, it is induced by changes in transsynaptic and glial inputs to GnRH neurons. We now know that these changes involve a reduction in inhibitory transsynaptic inputs combined with increased transsynaptic and glial excitatory inputs to the GnRH neuronal network. Although the pubertal process is known to have a strong genetic component, during the last several years, epigenetics has been implicated as a significant regulatory mechanism through which GnRH release is first repressed before puberty and is involved later on during the increase in GnRH secretion that brings about the pubertal process. According to this concept, a central target of epigenetic regulation is the transcriptional machinery of neurons implicated in stimulating GnRH release. Here, we will briefly review the hormonal changes associated with the advent of female puberty and the role that excitatory transsynaptic inputs have in this process. In addition, we will examine the 3 major groups of epigenetic modifying enzymes expressed in the neuroendocrine hypothalamus, which was recently shown to be involved in pubertal development and progression.
Topics: Animals; Chromatin; Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Humans; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 30731454
DOI: 10.1159/000497745 -
PloS One 2015Early sexual maturation is considered a serious drawback for Atlantic salmon aquaculture as it retards growth, increases production times and affects flesh quality....
Early sexual maturation is considered a serious drawback for Atlantic salmon aquaculture as it retards growth, increases production times and affects flesh quality. Although both growth and sexual maturation are thought to be complex processes controlled by several genetic and environmental factors, selection for these traits has been continuously accomplished since the beginning of Atlantic salmon selective breeding programs. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS) we used a 6.5K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to genotype ∼ 480 individuals from the Cermaq Canada broodstock program and search for SNPs associated with growth and age at sexual maturation. Using a mixed model approach we identified markers showing a significant association with growth, grilsing (early sexual maturation) and late sexual maturation. The most significant associations were found for grilsing, with markers located in Ssa10, Ssa02, Ssa13, Ssa25 and Ssa12, and for late maturation with markers located in Ssa28, Ssa01 and Ssa21. A lower level of association was detected with growth on Ssa13. Candidate genes, which were linked to these genetic markers, were identified and some of them show a direct relationship with developmental processes, especially for those in association with sexual maturation. However, the relatively low power to detect genetic markers associated with growth (days to 5 kg) in this GWAS indicates the need to use a higher density SNP array in order to overcome the low levels of linkage disequilibrium observed in Atlantic salmon before the information can be incorporated into a selective breeding program.
Topics: Animals; Aquaculture; Chromosome Mapping; Chromosomes; Female; Fish Proteins; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genotype; Linkage Disequilibrium; Male; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Quantitative Trait Loci; Salmo salar; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 25757012
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119730