Transcriptome analysis of genes related to gonad differentiation and development in Muscovy ducks

Bai, Ding-Ping; Chen, Yue; Hu, Yuqiong; He, Wenfeng; Shi, Yu-Zhu; Fan, Qin-Ming; Luo, Rutang; Li, Ang

doi:10.1186/s12864-020-06852-z

Cited by 24 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…The Neognathae is divided into two clades, the Galloanserae (chickens, quails, and ducks et al) and Neoaves, the perching birds (around 95% of all extant avian species) (Cracraft, 2001;Hackett et al, 2008). Most research on avian gonadal development has focused on the chicken, or related members of the Galloanserae clade, such as quail and duck (Takada et al, 2006;Smith et al, 2009;Ayers et al, 2015;Bai et al, 2020;Okuno et al, 2020). Additionally, these studies have focused mainly on the conservation of mammalian genes involved in gonadal sex differentiation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PAX2+ Mesenchymal Origin of Gonadal Supporting Cells Is Conserved in Birds

Estermann

Mariette

Moreau

et al. 2021

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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During embryonic gonadal development, the supporting cell lineage is the first cell type to differentiate, giving rise to Sertoli cells in the testis and pre-granulosa cells in the ovary. These cells are thought to direct other gonadal cell lineages down the testis or ovarian pathways, including the germline. Recent research has shown that, in contrast to mouse, chicken gonadal supporting cells derive from a PAX2/OSR1/DMRT1/WNT4 positive mesenchymal cell population. These cells colonize the undifferentiated genital ridge during early gonadogenesis, around the time that germ cells migrate into the gonad. During the process of somatic gonadal sex differentiation, PAX2 expression is down-regulated in embryonic chicken gonads just prior to up-regulation of testis- and ovary-specific markers and prior to germ cell differentiation. Most research on avian gonadal development has focused on the chicken model, and related species from the Galloanserae clade. There is a lack of knowledge on gonadal sex differentiation in other avian lineages. Comparative analysis in birds is required to fully understand the mechanisms of avian sex determination and gonadal differentiation. Here we report the first comparative molecular characterization of gonadal supporting cell differentiation in birds from each of the three main clades, Galloanserae (chicken and quail), Neoaves (zebra finch) and Palaeognathe (emu). Our analysis reveals conservation of PAX2+ expression and a mesenchymal origin of supporting cells in each clade. Moreover, down-regulation of PAX2 expression precisely defines the onset of gonadal sex differentiation in each species. Altogether, these results indicate that gonadal morphogenesis is conserved among the major bird clades.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PAX2+ Mesenchymal Origin of Gonadal Supporting Cells Is Conserved in Birds

Estermann

Mariette

Moreau

et al. 2021

Front. Cell Dev. Biol.

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“…Recently, transcriptome studies in poultry HPG axis-related tissues have identi ed some candidate genes associated with the reproductive system development [17,21]. Taken together, these identi ed DEGs can potentially be used to explain the speci c functions of HPG axis regulating the development of external genitalia of male goose.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has provided a powerful, highly reproducible and coste cient tool for transcriptomic studies [14,15]. To date, RNA-seq has been used for analysis of reproduction-associated traits in poultry, including laying performance [16], and gonadal development [17]. Nevertheless, the mRNA expression pro ling of HPG axis regulating external genital development of male goose has not been reported.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Crucial Candidate Genes and Pathways in The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis During External Genitalia Development of Male Geese

Tang

Ouyang

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background All birds reproduce via internal fertilization, but only ~ 3% of male birds possess the external genitalia that allows for intromission. Waterfowl (e.g., duck and goose) are representatives of them, and the external genitalia development of male geese is directly related to mating ability. Notably, some male geese show abnormal external genitalia development during ontogenesis. However, until now little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the external genitalia development in goose. In the present study, comparative transcriptomic analyses were performed on the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testis, and external genitalia isolated from the 245-day-old male Tianfu meat geese showing normal (NEGG, n = 3) and abnormal (AEGG, n = 3) external genitals in order to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling the development of the external genitalia in aquatic bird species. Results There were 107, 284, 2192, and 1005 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testis and external genitalia between NEGG and AEGG. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs identified in the hypothalamus were mainly enriched in the ECM-receptor interaction pathway. The ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways were significantly enriched by the DEGs in the pituitary gland. In the testis, the DEGs were involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis and purine metabolism. In the external genitalia, the DEGs were mainly involved in the metabolic, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and WNT signaling pathways. Additionally, through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and co-expression network integrated analysis, fifteen genes involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and WNT signaling pathways were identified, including KNG1, LPAR2, LPAR3, NPY, PLCB1, AVPR1B, GHSR, GRM3, HTR5A, FSHB, FSHR, WNT11, WNT5A, WIF1, and WNT7B, which are potentially crucial for the development of goose external genitalia. Conclusions To our knowledge, this study is the first comparing the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testis, and external genitalia transcriptomes of male geese exhibiting normal and abnormal external genitals. Significantly, we identified the key DEGs involved in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway which regulates the WNT signaling pathway through PLCB1 to control the development of male goose external genitalia.

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“…As in the chicken, DMRT1 is male up-regulated during embryonic gonadal development in all other avians examined, including diverse species such as the Japanese quail, zebra finch and emu, (Estermann et al, in press) [ 61 ]. The same applies to embryonic development of the gonads in the Muscovy duck [ 116 ]. These data strongly indicate that Z-linked DMRT1 is the master regulator of testis formation across all birds, in line with its deep conservation and role in the testis of other animals.…”

Section: Molecular Regulation Of Avian Testis Formation and The Role Of Dmrt1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Regulation of Avian Testis Development

Estermann

Major

Smith

2021

Genes

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As in other vertebrates, avian testes are the site of spermatogenesis and androgen production. The paired testes of birds differentiate during embryogenesis, first marked by the development of pre-Sertoli cells in the gonadal primordium and their condensation into seminiferous cords. Germ cells become enclosed in these cords and enter mitotic arrest, while steroidogenic Leydig cells subsequently differentiate around the cords. This review describes our current understanding of avian testis development at the cell biology and genetic levels. Most of this knowledge has come from studies on the chicken embryo, though other species are increasingly being examined. In chicken, testis development is governed by the Z-chromosome-linked DMRT1 gene, which directly or indirectly activates the male factors, HEMGN, SOX9 and AMH. Recent single cell RNA-seq has defined cell lineage specification during chicken testis development, while comparative studies point to deep conservation of avian testis formation. Lastly, we identify areas of future research on the genetics of avian testis development.

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Transcriptome analysis of genes related to gonad differentiation and development in Muscovy ducks

Cited by 24 publications

References 103 publications

PAX2+ Mesenchymal Origin of Gonadal Supporting Cells Is Conserved in Birds

PAX2+ Mesenchymal Origin of Gonadal Supporting Cells Is Conserved in Birds

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Crucial Candidate Genes and Pathways in The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis During External Genitalia Development of Male Geese

Genetic Regulation of Avian Testis Development

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