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Piazza YG, Czuchlej SC, Gómez ML, Meijide FJ. Gonadal morphogenesis in the South American toad Rhinella Arenarum (Anura, Bufonidae) unveils an extremely delayed rate of sex differentiation. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21611. [PMID: 37458081 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Among anurans, Bufonids are recognized for their retarded sex differentiation. However, few studies have addressed gonadal morphogenesis in this family. Here, we analyzed the early gonadogenesis in laboratory-reared Rhinella arenarum. Few germ cells were identified in the genital ridge at Gosner stage 26. At metamorphosis, somatic cells and germ cells were observed in the outer region of the undifferentiated gonad, whereas the central region was occupied by stromal tissue. A cortico-medullary organization was first recognized on Day 7 postmetamorphosis. The cortex was composed of germ cells and encompassing epithelial cells, whereas the medulla contained cells presumptively derived from the coelomic epithelium. Medullary somatic cells formed metameric knots along the length of the undifferentiated gonad. Consequently, a series of 12-14 gonomeres became recognizable externally. The first sign of ovarian differentiation was observed on Day 15 postmetamorphosis, when a cavity was formed within each gonomere. In contrast, testes were recognized by a uniform distribution of germ cells and intermingled somatic cells, as the division into cortex and medulla was lost. By Day 50 postmetamorphosis, the gonadal metameric organization was still apparent both in the ovaries and testes. Follicles containing diplotene oocytes were observed within the ovary. In the testis, an incipient lobular architecture was recognized without initiation of meiosis within the seminiferous cords. These observations reveal an extremely delayed gonadal development in R. arenarum, not reported previously for other anuran species. In addition, the late differentiation of the gonads contrasted with the early appearance of follicles in the Bidder's organ. Lastly, we observed that delayed metamorphs exhibited an undifferentiated gonad, demonstrating that gonadogenesis in this species is more dependent on somatic development than on age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina G Piazza
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología Acuática, DBBE and IBBEA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia C Czuchlej
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología Acuática, DBBE and IBBEA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María L Gómez
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA, CONICET, Centro Científico Tecnológico-Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Fernando J Meijide
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología Acuática, DBBE and IBBEA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Porras-Gómez TJ, Villagrán-SantaCruz M, Moreno-Mendoza N. Biology of primordial germ cells in vertebrates with emphasis in urodeles amphibians. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:773-792. [PMID: 34532913 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are highly specialized cells that play a relevant role in the maintenance and evolution of the species, since they create new combinations of genetic information between the organisms. Amphibians are a class of amniote vertebrates that are divided into three subclasses, the anurans (frogs and toads), the urodeles (salamanders and newts), and the gymnophiones (caecilians). The study of PGCs in amphibians has been addressed in more detail in anurans while little is known about the biology of this cell lineage in urodeles. Studies in some urodeles species have suggested that PGCs are of mesodermal origin, specifying in the lateral plate mesoderm at the late gastrula stage. With classical experiments it shown that, there is an induction of mesoderm, therefore most likely urodeles PGCs develop from unspecialized mesodermal tissue that responds to extracellular signals. However, some fundamental biological processes of PGCs such as the analysis of their specification, arrival, and colonization to the gonads, and their maintenance and differentiation into mature and fertile gametes remain to be elucidated. Therefore, knowledge about the biology of PGCs is of great importance to ensure the perpetuation of urodeles amphibians, as some species are in danger of becoming extinct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania J Porras-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Biología Tisular y Reproductora, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maricela Villagrán-SantaCruz
- Laboratorio de Biología Tisular y Reproductora, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Norma Moreno-Mendoza
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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Roco ÁS, Ruiz-García A, Bullejos M. Testis Development and Differentiation in Amphibians. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:578. [PMID: 33923451 PMCID: PMC8072878 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is determined genetically in amphibians; however, little is known about the sex chromosomes, testis-determining genes, and the genes involved in testis differentiation in this class. Certain inherent characteristics of the species of this group, like the homomorphic sex chromosomes, the high diversity of the sex-determining mechanisms, or the existence of polyploids, may hinder the design of experiments when studying how the gonads can differentiate. Even so, other features, like their external development or the possibility of inducing sex reversal by external treatments, can be helpful. This review summarizes the current knowledge on amphibian sex determination, gonadal development, and testis differentiation. The analysis of this information, compared with the information available for other vertebrate groups, allows us to identify the evolutionarily conserved and divergent pathways involved in testis differentiation. Overall, the data confirm the previous observations in other vertebrates-the morphology of the adult testis is similar across different groups; however, the male-determining signal and the genetic networks involved in testis differentiation are not evolutionarily conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mónica Bullejos
- Departamento de Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Campus Las Lagunillas S/N, Universidad de Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (Á.S.R.); (A.R.-G.)
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Phuge S, Sequeira A, Pandit R. Effect of ethylenethiourea on metamorphosis and ovary development: A comparative study of three larval frogs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2021; 335:469-476. [PMID: 33830665 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian endocrine systems interact with each other during normal development. Interference with one of the endocrine systems may influence others. We studied the effect of a thyroid inhibitor (ethylenethiourea [ETU]) on metamorphosis and ovary development of three species, Sphaerotheca pashchima, Indosylvirana caesari, and Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis with different larval durations. We treated the tadpoles of these species with 50, 100, and 200 mg/L concentrations of ETU and studied their larval duration, size at metamorphosis, and ovary development. The results revealed that ETU affects metamorphosis, depending on the species and concentration. ETU delayed metamorphosis of E. cyanophlyctis tadpoles and did not affect metamorphosis in S. pashchima tadpoles. Lower concentrations of ETU stimulated metamorphosis in I. caesari tadpoles while high concentration delayed metamorphosis. In the tadpoles (E. cyanophlyctis) treated with higher concentrations of ETU, ovary development was advanced with an increased size of the diplotene oocytes. Oocyte size was smaller in the tadpoles (of I. caesari) treated with lower concentrations of ETU. These results demonstrated that the tadpoles of these species show different responses to the thyroid inhibitor, possibly due to the differences in the larval duration and sensitivity. Inhibition or acceleration of metamorphosis did not interfere in the ovary development of E. cyanophlyctis and I. caesari. These results will be useful in understanding the impact of endocrine disruptors on the interaction between thyroid and sex steroid hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samadhan Phuge
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Andrea Sequeira
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Radhakrishna Pandit
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Goldberg J, Cardozo D, Brusquetti F, Bueno Villafañe D, Caballero Gini A, Bianchi C. Body size variation and sexual size dimorphism across climatic gradients in the widespread treefrogScinax fuscovarius(Anura, Hylidae). AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Goldberg
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO-CONICET); CCT-Salta; 9 de Julio 14 4405 Rosario de Lerma, Salta Argentina
| | - Darío Cardozo
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva; Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS UNaM/CONICET); Posadas Misiones Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Bianchi
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO-CONICET); CCT-Salta; 9 de Julio 14 4405 Rosario de Lerma, Salta Argentina
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Bernabò I, Guardia A, Macirella R, Tripepi S, Brunelli E. Chronic exposures to fungicide pyrimethanil: multi-organ effects on Italian tree frog (Hyla intermedia). Sci Rep 2017; 7:6869. [PMID: 28761072 PMCID: PMC5537256 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07367-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian habitats are easily contaminated by several pollutants, and in agricultural landscapes the likely exposure scenario is represented by pesticides. Many of these substances are known or suspected to act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of pyrimethanil, a common-used but also overlooked fungicide, on liver, kidney and gonadal differentiation of Hyla intermedia. Through a multi-organ evaluation, we demonstrated that a long term exposure to two environmentally relevant concentrations of pyrimethanil (5 and 50 µg/L) elicits a range of toxic responses. First we showed that pyrimethanil induces underdevelopment of ovaries and interferes with normal sexual differentiation, thus revealing the endocrine disruption potential of this fungicide. Moreover we revealed that all considered organs are seriously affected by this fungicide and both necrosis and apoptosis contribute to the histological response. This is the first report on the effects of pyrimethanil on gonads, liver and kidney histology of a non-model species and it demonstrates that the hazardous properties of this fungicide can result from several pathological processes affecting different key compartments of amphibian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bernabò
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Antonello Guardia
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Rachele Macirella
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sandro Tripepi
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Elvira Brunelli
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036, Rende, Cosenza, Italy.
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Goldberg J, Barrasso DA, Agostini MG, Quinzio S. Vocal sac development and accelerated sexual maturity in the lesser swimming frog, Pseudis minuta (Anura, Hylidae). ZOOLOGY 2016; 119:489-499. [PMID: 27495378 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sexual maturity involves the differentiation of the reproductive system, the maturation of germ cells, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Even though this topic has received much attention, little is known about the sequence of events that encompass reproductive maturation in anurans and what it could reveal about the developmental basis of life cycle evolution. The discovery of froglets of Pseudis minuta with incipient vocal sacs calling in breeding pools alongside several larger adult specimens with fully developed vocal sacs raised the question of the timing of sexual maturity in this species. Here we describe the sequence and timing of differentiation, development and maturation of the vocal sac apparatus and the testes in P. minuta (Anura, Hylidae), in order to establish a timeline of events leading to sexual maturity. Differentiation of the vocal sac apparatus begins at the final metamorphic stages, earlier than reported for other species, and the vocal sac acquires its final shape during the early postmetamorphic period. These modifications occur after gonadal differentiation, which begins early during the larval period and proceeds with a highly accelerated rate of development (e.g., secondary spermatids appear well before metamorphic climax), a situation reported previously for other anuran species only in the genus Pseudis. These results, together with a skeletochronological analysis showing that some calling specimens presented no lines of arrested growth, indicate acceleration in the timing of sexual maturity in Pseudis, and raise questions about the interdependence/decoupling during the development of the different components involved in reaching the adult stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Goldberg
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO-CONICET), CCT-Salta, 9 de Julio 14, 4405 Rosario de Lerma, Salta, Argentina.
| | - Diego A Barrasso
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus-CONICET), Bvd. Brown, 2915 Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - M Gabriela Agostini
- Grupo de Estudios sobre Biodiversidad en Agroecosistemas (GEBA), Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires, (IEGEBA-UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón II Ciudad Universitaria C1428EHA CABA, Argentina
| | - Silvia Quinzio
- Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO-CONICET), CCT-Salta, 9 de Julio 14, 4405 Rosario de Lerma, Salta, Argentina
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