1
|
Wrobel ER, Bentz AB, Lorenz WW, Gardner ST, Mendonça MT, Navara KJ. Corticosterone and testosterone treatment influence expression of gene pathways linked to meiotic segregation in preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232120. [PMID: 32407351 PMCID: PMC7224459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Decades of work indicate that female birds can control their offspring sex ratios in response to environmental and social cues. In laying hens, hormones administered immediately prior to sex chromosome segregation can exert sex ratio skews, indicating that these hormones may act directly on the germinal disc to influence which sex chromosome is retained in the oocyte and which is discarded into an unfertilizable polar body. We aimed to uncover the gene pathways involved in this process by testing whether treatments with testosterone or corticosterone that were previously shown to influence sex ratios elicit changes in the expression of genes and/or gene pathways involved in the process of meiotic segregation. We injected laying hens with testosterone, corticosterone, or control oil 5h prior to ovulation and collected germinal discs from the F1 preovulatory follicle in each hen 1.5h after injection. We used RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by DESeq2 and gene set enrichment analyses to identify genes and gene pathways that were differentially expressed between germinal discs of control and hormone-treated hens. Corticosterone treatment triggered downregulation of 13 individual genes, as well as enrichment of gene sets related to meiotic spindle organization and chromosome segregation, and additional gene sets that function in ion transport. Testosterone treatment triggered upregulation of one gene, and enrichment of one gene set that functions in nuclear chromosome segregation. This work indicates that corticosterone can be a potent regulator of meiotic processes and provides potential gene targets on which corticosterone and/or testosterone may act to influence offspring sex ratios in birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Wrobel
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Alexandra B. Bentz
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - W. Walter Lorenz
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Stephen T. Gardner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America
| | - Mary T. Mendonça
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States of America
| | - Kristen J. Navara
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wrobel ER, Molina E, Khan NY, Akingbemi BT, Mendonca MT, Navara KJ. Androgen and mineralocorticoid receptors are present on the germinal disc region in laying hens: Potential mediators of sex ratio adjustment in birds? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 287:113353. [PMID: 31809721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Female birds skew offspring sex ratios based on environmental and social stimuli; however, the mechanism mediating this phenomenon remains unknown. Growing evidence suggests that testosterone and corticosterone may influence meiosis, as they skew sex ratios when given immediately before chromosomal segregation. It is unclear if these hormones act on the germinal disc (GD) or through a downstream mediator. It is also unknown whether the GD contains receptors for these hormones. If testosterone and/or corticosterone act on the GD to skew sex ratios, then the GD should have receptors for them and that receptor levels should be higher in the GD regions compared to other follicular regions. Furthermore, fluctuations of receptor levels should occur near meiotic segregation. We collected ovarian follicles at 5 h pre-ovulation (just before meiotic segregation) and 20 h pre-ovulation (when sex chromosomes are arrested), and measured androgen receptor (AR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) protein levels via Western blot. ARs and MRs were on the follicle in the GD and non-GD regions, and at 5 h and 20 h pre-ovulation. Both AR and MR protein levels were higher in the GD region than the non-GD region at both time points, but did not differ between time points. These results suggest that hen ovarian follicles have receptors for testosterone and corticosterone, and that the ability for testosterone to respond may be specifically higher in the GD-region, providing further support for the role of testosterone in the alteration of meiotic segregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Wrobel
- Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, 203 Poultry Science Bldg., Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Erica Molina
- Biological Sciences Department, Auburn University, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Nicola Y Khan
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, South Street, St. Andrews KY16 9JP, Scotland, UK
| | - Benson T Akingbemi
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, 109 Greene Hall, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Mary T Mendonca
- Biological Sciences Department, Auburn University, 331 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Kristen J Navara
- Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, 203 Poultry Science Bldg., Athens, GA 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Parolini M, Possenti CD, Romano A, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Saino N. Physiological increase of yolk testosterone level does not affect oxidative status and telomere length in gull hatchlings. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206503. [PMID: 30365552 PMCID: PMC6203383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions experienced during early-life can cause the onset of oxidative stress, resulting in pervasive effects on diverse life-history traits, including lifespan. In birds, maternally-transferred egg substances may exert positive or negative influence over the offspring phenotype. Among these, testosterone can upregulate the bioavailability of certain antioxidants but simultaneously promotes the production of pro-oxidants, leading to an oxidative stress situation, which is one of the main forces causing telomere attrition However, no study has investigated the role of this androgen on telomere dynamics in birds and little is known about the effects of yolk testosterone on oxidative status in early-life of these species. We physiologically increased the levels of yolk testosterone by in ovo injections in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) to evaluate the effects induced by this androgen on hatchlings plasma total antioxidant capacity, amount of pro-oxidant molecules and telomere length at hatching. Testosterone supplementation did not increase hatchling body growth, did not result in the overproduction of pro-oxidant molecules nor a reduction of antioxidant capacity. Accordingly, telomere length at hatching was not affected by testosterone treatment, although hatchlings from the third-laid eggs showed shorter telomeres than their siblings from first- and second-laid eggs, independently of testosterone treatment. Our results suggest that injection of physiological levels of testosterone does not induce oxidative stress to hatchlings and, consequently do not affect telomere dynamics during early post-natal periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Andrea Romano
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Caprioli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Langen EMA, von Engelhardt N, Goerlich-Jansson VC. No evidence for sex-specific effects of the maternal social environment on offspring development in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 263:12-20. [PMID: 29684400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The social environment of reproducing females can cause physiological changes, with consequences for reproductive investment and offspring development. These prenatal maternal effects are often found to be sex-specific and may have evolved as adaptations, maximizing fitness of male and female offspring for their future environment. Female hormone levels during reproduction are considered a potential mechanism regulating sex allocation in vertebrates: high maternal androgens have repeatedly been linked to increased investment in sons, whereas high glucocorticoid levels are usually related to increased investment in daughters. However, results are not consistent across studies and therefore still inconclusive. In Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), we previously found that pair-housed females had higher plasma androgen levels and tended to have higher plasma corticosterone levels than group-housed females. In the current study we investigate whether these differences in maternal social environment and physiology affect offspring sex allocation and physiology. Counter to our expectations, we find no effects of the maternal social environment on offspring sex ratio, sex-specific mortality, growth, circulating androgen or corticosterone levels. Also, maternal corticosterone or androgen levels do not correlate with offspring sex ratio or mortality. The social environment during reproduction therefore does not necessarily modify sex allocation and offspring physiology, even if it causes differences in maternal physiology. We propose that maternal effects of the social environment strongly depend upon the type of social stimuli and the timing of changes in the social environment and hormones with respect to the reproductive cycle and meiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther M A Langen
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; Department of Animals in Science and Society, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nikolaus von Engelhardt
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Vivian C Goerlich-Jansson
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany; Department of Animals in Science and Society, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Podmokła E, Drobniak SM, Rutkowska J. Chicken or egg? Outcomes of experimental manipulations of maternally transmitted hormones depend on administration method - a meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1499-1517. [PMID: 29573376 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones are important mediators of prenatal maternal effects in animals. Despite a growing number of studies involving experimental manipulation of these hormones, little is known about the impact of methodological differences among experiments on the final results expressed as offspring traits. Using a meta-analytical approach and a representative sample of experimental studies performed on birds, we tested the effect of two types of direct hormonal manipulations: manipulation of females (either by implantation of hormone pellets or injection of hormonal solutions) and manipulation of eggs by injection. In both types of manipulation we looked at the effects of two groups of hormones: corticosterone and androgens in the form of testosterone and androstenedione. We found that the average effect on offspring traits differed between the manipulation types, with a well-supported positive effect of egg manipulation and lack of a significant effect of maternal manipulation. The observed average positive effect for egg manipulation was driven mainly by androgen manipulations, while corticosterone manipulations exerted no overall effect, regardless of manipulation type. Detailed analyses revealed effects of varying size and direction depending on the specific offspring traits; e.g., egg manipulation positively affected physiology and behaviour (androgens), and negatively affected future reproduction (corticosterone). Effect size was negatively related to the dose of androgen injected into the eggs, but unrelated to timing of manipulation, offspring developmental stage at the time of measuring their traits, solvent type, the site of egg injection and maternal hormone delivery method. Despite the generally acknowledged importance of maternal hormones for offspring development in birds, the overall effect of their experimental elevation is rather weak, significantly heterogeneous and dependent on the hormone and type of manipulation. We conclude by providing general recommendations as to how hormonal manipulations should be performed in order to standardize their impact and the results achieved. We also emphasize the need for research on free-living birds with a focus on fitness-related and other long-term effects of maternal hormones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Podmokła
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Szymon M Drobniak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Rutkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lutyk D, Tagirov M, Drobniak S, Rutkowska J. Higher growth rate and gene expression in male zebra finch embryos are independent of manipulation of maternal steroids in the eggs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 254:1-7. [PMID: 28935580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism in prenatal development is widespread among vertebrates, including birds. Its mechanism remains unclear, although it has been attributed to the effect of maternal steroid hormones. The aim of this study was to investigate how increased levels of steroid hormones in the eggs influence early embryonic development of male and female offspring. We also asked whether maternal hormones take part in the control of sex-specific expression of the genes involved in prenatal development. We experimentally manipulated hormones' concentrations in the egg yolk by injecting zebra finch females prior to ovulation with testosterone or corticosterone. We assessed growth rate and expression levels of CDK7, FBP1 and GHR genes in 37h-old embryos. We found faster growth and higher expression of two studied genes in male compared to female embryos. Hormonal treatment, despite clearly differentiating egg steroid levels, had no effect on the sex-specific pattern of the embryonic gene expression, even though we confirmed expression of receptors of androgens and glucocorticoids at such an early stage of development. Thus, our study shows high stability of the early sex differences in the embryonic development before the onset of sexual differentiation and indicates their independence of maternal hormones in the egg.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Lutyk
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Makhsud Tagirov
- Poultry Research Institute, Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences, Lenin Street 20, Borky, Zmiiv District, Kharkiv Region 63421, Ukraine
| | - Szymon Drobniak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Rutkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
|
8
|
Maladaptive Sex Ratio Adjustment in the Invasive Brine Shrimp Artemia franciscana. Curr Biol 2016; 26:1463-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
9
|
Aslam MA, Schokker D, Groothuis TG, de Wit AA, Smits MA, Woelders H. Association of Egg Mass and Egg Sex: Gene Expression Analysis from Maternal RNA in the Germinal Disc Region of Layer Hens (Gallus gallus)1. Biol Reprod 2015; 92:157. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.123380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
|
10
|
Pinson SE, Wilson JL, Navara KJ. Timing matters: corticosterone injections 4 h before ovulation bias sex ratios towards females in chickens. J Comp Physiol B 2015; 185:539-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-015-0897-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
11
|
Aslam MA, Groothuis TG, Smits MA, Woelders H. Effect of Corticosterone and Hen Body Mass on Primary Sex Ratio in Laying Hen (Gallus gallus), Using Unincubated Eggs1. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:76. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.115352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
|
12
|
Ramachandran R. Current and future reproductive technologies for avian species. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 752:23-31. [PMID: 24170353 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8887-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The global demand for poultry meat and eggs is expected to increase exponentially in the next several decades. Increasing global poultry production in the future would require significant improvements in genetics, nutrition, and managerial practices including reproduction. This chapter summarizes some of the recent developments in ameliorating reproductive dysfunction in broiler breeder chickens, cryopreservation of avian spermatozoa, sex selection, and avian transgenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Ramachandran
- Department of Animal Science, Center for Reproductive Biology and Health, The Pennsylvania State University, 211 Henning Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Navara KJ. The role of steroid hormones in the adjustment of primary sex ratio in birds: compiling the pieces of the puzzle. Integr Comp Biol 2013; 53:923-37. [PMID: 23900275 DOI: 10.1093/icb/ict083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is ample evidence that birds have the ability to adjust their offsprings' sex ratios before fertilization occurs. Recent work has focused on pinpointing when during the process of oocyte maturation adjustment of sex ratio takes place. Additionally, there is growing support for the idea that there is hormonal control over the process of adjustment of sex ratio in birds. Whether steroid hormones represent direct mediators of the process, however, remains unclear. This review outlines the precise points during maturation of ovarian follicles during which adjustment of primary sex ratios could potentially occur, compiles the evidence for hormonal involvement in the process of primary adjustment of sex ratio, and discusses potential hormonal targets during maturation and fertilization of oocytes where hormones may trigger adjustment of sex ratio in birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen J Navara
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
The ability to adjust sex ratios at the individual level exists among all vertebrate groups studied to date. In many cases, there is evidence for facultative adjustment of sex ratios in response to environmental and/or social cues. Because environmental and social information must be first transduced into a physiological signal to influence sex ratios, hormones likely play a role in the adjustment of sex ratio in vertebrates, because the endocrine system acts as a prime communicator that directs physiological activities in response to changing external conditions. This symposium was developed to bring together investigators whose work on adjustment of sex ratio represents a variety of vertebrate groups in an effort to draw comparisons between species in which the sex-determination process is well-established and those in which more work is needed to understand how adjustments in sex ratio are occurring. This review summarizes potential hormone targets that may underlie the mechanisms of adjustment of sex ratio in humans, non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen J Navara
- Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Aslam MA, Hulst M, Hoving-Bolink RAH, Smits MA, de Vries B, Weites I, Groothuis TGG, Woelders H. Yolk concentrations of hormones and glucose and egg weight and egg dimensions in unincubated chicken eggs, in relation to egg sex and hen body weight. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 187:15-22. [PMID: 23510857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2012] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Birds can manipulate offspring sex ratio under natural and experimental conditions and maternal hormones have been shown to be involved in this process. Studies also provided evidence for the presence of sex specific concentrations of yolk hormones in avian eggs. These findings led to the suggestion that yolk hormones could influence genetic sex determination in birds. However, in previous studies, yolk hormone concentrations and egg sex were studied in incubated eggs, although incubation of the eggs and embryonic development can alter yolk hormone concentrations and measured sex ratio. This study is the first to determine a wide array of egg components and hen body weight in relation to the sex of the egg in unincubated eggs. Egg parameters studied were yolk concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, androstenedione, progesterone, dihydrotestosterone, and glucose, and egg weight and dimensions. In addition, we studied the associations among all measured parameters. Associations were found between a number of yolk hormones (progesterone associated with testosterone, estradiol and androstenedione; androstenedione with testosterone; dihydrotestosterone with estradiol and androstenedione) as well as between yolk testosterone and egg length and egg weight. There were no significant overall differences between male and female chicken eggs in any of the measured egg parameters. However, there were a few interactions such as the interaction of egg sex with dihydrotestosterone and with hen body weight which predicted estradiol levels and an interaction of estradiol levels with egg width for predicting sex of egg. Their biological relevance need, however, further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Aamir Aslam
- Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen UR Livestock Research, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tagirov M, Rutkowska J. Chimeric embryos—potential mechanism of avian offspring sex manipulation. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|