Project description:We study the changes occurring in the testes of Talpa occidentalis during the breeding cycle. The transcriptomic analysis of active, inactivating and regressed testis show that several molecular pathways that operate in Sertoli cells, involved in the control of spermatogenesis and BTB dynamics, are deregulated in the inactive gonad, and that the immuno privilege of the testes is lost during the non-breeding season.
Project description:We also study the changes occurring in the testes of Mediterranean pine mice living in the wastelands during the breeding cycle. The transcriptomic analysis of active and regressed testis show that several molecular pathways that operate in Sertoli cells, involved in the control of spermatogenesis and BTB dynamics, are deregulated in the inactive gonad, and that the immuno privilege of the testes is lost during the non-breeding season.
Project description:Mouse lemurs are basal primates that rely on chemo- and acoustic signalling for social interactions in their dispersed social systems. We examined the urinary protein content of two mouse lemurs species, within and outside the breeding season, to assess candidates used in species discrimination, reproductive or competitive communication. Urine from Microcebus murinus and Microcebus lehilahytsara contain a predominant 10kDa protein, expressed in both species by some, but not all, males during the breeding season, but at very low levels by females. Mass spectrometry of the intact proteins confirmed the protein mass and revealed a 30 Da mass difference between proteins from the two species. Tandem mass spectrometry after digestion with three proteases and sequencing de novo defined the complete protein sequence and located an Ala/Thr difference between the two species that explained the 30 Da mass difference. The protein (mature form: 87 amino acids) is an atypical member of the whey acidic protein family (WFDC12). Seasonal excretion of this protein, species difference and male-specific expression during the breeding season suggest that it may have a function in intra- and/or intersexual chemical signalling in the context of reproduction, and could be a cue for sexual selection and species recognition.
Project description:Senegalese sole males born and raised in captivity (F1 males) do not spawn naturally and typically display lower gamete quality when compared with wild individuals. Broodstock nutrition is an important aspect when dealing with reproduction because it influences not only fish health, but also gamete and progeny quality. The usage of dietary algae antioxidants to improve fish reproduction is under-explored, especially in terms of the male reproductive system. In this experiment, 6 % of a blended meal of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Gracilaria gracilis was incorporated in Senegalese sole broodstock feed, to evaluate the effects on sperm quality of F1 males throughout the breeding season. RNA-seq was employed to assess differences in the gonadal tissue of fish fed the algae supplemented diets.
Project description:We compared the gene expression of ventral part of telenchephalon, hypothalamus and pituitary in grass puffer (Takifugu alboplumbeus) between the spring and neap tides during the breeding season using RNA-seq.
Project description:The brain plays a critical role in upstream regulation of processes central to mating effort, parental effort, and self-maintenance. For seasonally breeding animals, the brain is likely mediating trade-offs among these processes within a short breeding season, yet research thus far has only explored neurogenomic changes from non-breeding to breeding states or select pathways (e.g., steroids) in male and/or lab-reared animals. Here, we use RNA-seq to explore neural plasticity in three behaviorally relevant neural tissues (ventromedial telencephalon [VmT], hypothalamus [HYPO], and hindbrain), comparing free-living female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) as they shift from territory establishment to incubation. We additionally highlight changes in candidate aggression-related genes to explore the potential for a neurogenomic shift in the mechanisms regulating aggression, a critical behavior both in establishing and maintaining a territory and in defense of offspring. We found hundreds of differentially expressed genes in the VmT and HYPO. Enrichment analyses for the VmT revealed higher expression of genes related to neuroplasticity and processes beneficial for competition during territory establishment, but down-regulated immune processes. The HYPO showed signs of high neuroplasticity during incubation, and a decreased potential for glucocorticoid signaling. Furthermore, expression of aggression-related genes shifted from steroidal to non-steroidal pathways across the breeding season. Altogether, we found genomic signatures suggestive of trade-offs between enhanced activity and immunity in the VmT and between stress responsiveness and parental care in the HYPO, along with a potential shift in the mechanisms regulating aggression. These data highlight important gene regulatory pathways that may underlie behavioral plasticity in females.
2019-11-19 | GSE134939 | GEO
Project description:Analysis of ovarian transcriptome during ovine anestrus phase of the non-breeding season
Project description:Timothy grass (TG) pollen is a common seasonal airborne allergen associated with symptoms ranging from mild rhinitis to severe asthma. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in TG-specific T cell responses as a function of seasonality. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained either during the pollen season or out of season, from allergic individuals and non-allergic controls were stimulated either with TG extract or a pool of previously identified immunodominant antigenic regions. PBMC from in season allergic subjects exhibit higher IL-5 and IL-10 responses compared to out of season donors. In the case of non-allergic subjects, as expected we observed lower IL-5 responses and robust production of IFNγ compared to allergic individuals. Strikingly, non-atopic donors exhibited an opposing pattern with decreased immune reactivity in-season. The broad downregulation in non-allergic donors indicates that healthy individuals are not oblivious to allergen exposure but rather react with an active modulation of the responses following the antigenic stimulus provided during the pollen season. Transcriptomic analysis of allergen-specific T cells defined genes modulated in concomitance with allergen exposure and inhibition of responses in non-allergic donors. Magnitude and functionality of T-helper cell responses differ substantially for in season versus out of season in allergic and non-allergic subjects. The results indicate specific and opposing modulation of immune responses following the antigenic stimulation during the pollen season. This seasonal modulation reflects the enactment of specific molecular programs associated with health and allergic disease.
Project description:Reproduction of queen conchs at nearshore sites in the Florida Keys is known to be impaired (Delgado et al. 2004). A recent microarray study of male queen conchs collected from the Florida Keys during the early part of the reproductive season (February, 2007) indicated that NS conchs show differences in expression of spermatogenesis-related and small GTPase signaling transcripts (Spade et al. 2010). The current study investigates gene expression in the ovary of female queen conchs from the same sampling effort in February, 2007. One-color (Cy3) oligonucleotide array experiment. Each array sample is an individual biological replicate. The study includes four biological replicates offshore and three biological replicate nearshore. Offshore conchs exhibit normal reproduction, and so were considered the reference group in the analysis.