Dataset Information

Effects of selective and combined activation of estrogen receptor ? and ? on reproductive organ development and sexual behaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

ABSTRACT: Excess estrogen exposure of avian embryos perturbs reproductive organ development in both sexes and demasculinizes the reproductive behaviors of adult males. We have previously shown that these characteristic effects on the reproductive organs also can be induced by exposure of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) embryos to selective agonists of estrogen receptor alpha (ER?). In contrast, the male copulatory behavior is only weakly affected by developmental exposure to an ER? agonist. To further elucidate the respective roles of ER? and ER? in estrogen-induced disruption of sexual differentiation, we exposed Japanese quail embryos in ovo to the selective ER? agonist 16?-lactone-estradiol (16?LE2), the selective ER? agonist WAY-200070, or both substances in combination. The ER? agonist feminized the testes in male embryos and reduced cloacal gland size in adult males. Furthermore, anomalous retention and malformations of the Müllerian ducts/oviducts were seen in embryos and juveniles of both sexes. The ER? agonist did not induce any of these effects and did not influence the action of the ER? agonist. Male copulatory behavior was not affected by embryonic exposure to either the ER?- or the ER?-selective agonist but was slightly suppressed by treatment with the two compounds combined. Our results suggest that the reproductive organs become sexually differentiated consequent to activation of ER? by endogenous estrogens; excessive activation of ER?, but not ER?, during embryonic development may disrupt this process. Our results also suggest that the demasculinizing effect of estrogens on male copulatory behavior is only partly mediated by ER? and ER?, and may rather involve other estrogen-responsive pathways.

SUBMITTER: Mattsson A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5495399 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Effects of selective and combined activation of estrogen receptor α and β on reproductive organ development and sexual behaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Mattsson Anna A Brunström Björn B

PloS one 20170703 7

Excess estrogen exposure of avian embryos perturbs reproductive organ development in both sexes and demasculinizes the reproductive behaviors of adult males. We have previously shown that these characteristic effects on the reproductive organs also can be induced by exposure of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) embryos to selective agonists of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In contrast, the male copulatory behavior is only weakly affected by developmental exposure to an ERα agonist. To further ...[more]

PMID: 28671963

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Project description:Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reach sexual maturity early, breed rapidly and successfully, and cost less and require less space than other birds raised for their meat and eggs. Given the value of this species for commercial production and experimental use as well as recent increasing demand, more studies are necessary to determine chromosomal regions and genes associated with gender and breed-differentiation in the species. Identification of sex-related genes can help target chromosomal regions for molecular sexing purposes. This study employed Trinity and edgeR for transcriptome analysis of next-generation RNA-seq data, which included 4 tissues obtained from 3 different breeds of Japanese quail (wild, miniature, and jumbo). The initial goal was to identify genes related to sexual dimorphism, as well as potential novel candidate genes for molecular sexing. Analysis and interpretation of differentially expressed genes shared between female and male tissue contrast groups provided insight into sex-related differences. Several of the genes identified in the present study as significant sex-related genes have been previously found in avian gene expression analyses (e.g. NIPBL, UBAP2), and other genes found differentially expressed in this study and not previously associated with sex-related differences may be considered potential candidates for molecular sexing (e.g. TERA, MYP0, PPR17, CASQ2). Additionally, other genes likely associated with neuronal and brain development (e.g. CHKA, NYAP), as well as body development and size differentiation (e.g. ANKRD26, GRP87) in quail were identified. Expression of homeobox protein regulating genes in the sex-related contrast group revealed two genes (HXC4, ISL1) that may regulate sex-specific anatomical development. Results of these analyses expand the currently limited pool of knowledge on the genetic features of the quail breed and could allow for more effective molecular sexing as well as selective breeding for traits important in commercial production.

Project description:At higher latitudes, vertebrates exhibit a seasonal cycle of reproduction in response to changes in day-length, referred to as photoperiodism. Extended day-length induces thyroid-stimulating hormone in the pars tuberalis of the pituitary gland. This hormone triggers the local activation of thyroid hormone in the mediobasal hypothalamus and eventually induces gonadal development. In avian species, light information associated with day-length is detected through photoreceptors located in deep-brain regions. Within these regions, the expressions of multiple photoreceptive molecules, opsins, have been observed. However, even though the Japanese quail is an excellent model for photoperiodism because of its robust and significant seasonal responses in reproduction, a comprehensive understanding of photoreceptors in the quail brain remains undeveloped. In this study, we initially analyzed an action spectrum using photoperiodically induced expression of the beta subunit genes of thyroid-stimulating hormone in quail. Among seven wavelengths examined, we detected maximum sensitivity of the action spectrum at 500 nm. The low value for goodness of fit in the alignment with a template of retinal1-based photopigment, assuming a spectrum associated with a single opsin, proposed the possible involvement of multiple opsins rather than a single opsin. Analysis of gene expression in the septal region and hypothalamus, regions hypothesized to be photosensitive in quail, revealed mRNA expression of a mammal-like melanopsin in the infundibular nucleus within the mediobasal hypothalamus. However, no significant diurnal changes were observed for genes in the infundibular nucleus. Xenopus-like melanopsin, a further isoform of melanopsin in birds, was detected in neither the septal region nor the infundibular nucleus. These results suggest that the mammal-like melanopsin expressed in the infundibular nucleus within the mediobasal hypothalamus could be candidate deep-brain photoreceptive molecule in Japanese quail. Investigation of the functional involvement of mammal-like melanopsin-expressing cells in photoperiodism will be required for further conclusions.

Dataset Information

Effects of selective and combined activation of estrogen receptor ? and ? on reproductive organ development and sexual behaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Publications

Effects of selective and combined activation of estrogen receptor α and β on reproductive organ development and sexual behaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Similar Datasets

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