Development Of Reproductive Organs Research Articles

Estrogen Regulates Mitochondrial Activity Through Inducing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Skeletal Muscle.

Estrogen is an essential hormone for the development and functional activities of reproductive organs. Recent studies showed that estrogen signaling is also an important regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism in a number of tissues, but the molecular mechanism is not fully understood. We report here that estrogen is a stimulator of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis in the skeletal muscle. Estradiol (E2), but not testosterone, induces a dose- and time-dependent BDNF production in cultured myotubes. Estrogen depletion in ovariectomized mice significantly reduced Bdnf expression in the glycolytic myofibers, which could be rescued after E2 administration. Mechanistically, E2 stimulation triggered the tethering of estrogen receptor (ER) α, but not ERβ, to the estrogen-responsive element on promoter VI of the Bdnf gene in skeletal muscle. When Bdnf production was inhibited by shRNA in C2C12 myotubes, E2-induced mitochondria activation and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 expressions were jeopardized. Collectively, our results demonstrate that BDNF is an underrecognized effector of estrogen in regulating mitochondrial activity and fuel metabolism in the skeletal muscle.

Thyroid hormones in female and male reproduction with special reference to dogs and cats

Thyroid hormones have an important function in numerous physiological processes in humans and animals, including the regulation of metabolism, growth and development of individual and reproductive function. The thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), have a direct effect on the reproductive organs and an indirect effect in interaction with other hormones. Thyroid hormones influence the reproductive system by regulating metabolism and tissue development of the ovaries, uterus and placenta. Changes in the serum concentrations of T3 and T4 lead to disturbances in overall body function. Thyroid dysfunction, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can lead to significant reproductive problems. The aim of this review was to describe the functions of thyroid hormones and the effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on the animal reproductive system. Hypothyroidism is often caused by autoimmune diseases such as lymphocytic thyroiditis, and is associated with later puberty, reduced fertility and abnormalities in reproductive organ development. Hypothyroidism can lead to a prolonged interval, absent cycles, silent oestrus cycles, prolonged oestrus bleeding, and a lack of libido, with the occurrence of infertility, miscarriages, stillbirths and mummified foetuses. In males, hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in libido, semen quality, ejaculate volume, testicular atrophy, hypospermia and azoospermia. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is usually the result of thyroid cancer, which produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Increased concentrations of thyroid hormones lead to disturbances in the physiological balance of reproductive hormones, irregular oestrus cycles, anovulation and reduced fertility, as well as a decrease in the weight of the ovaries and the number of healthy follicles, with a simultaneous increase in the number of atretting follicles. The effects of hyperthyroidism on male fertility include disorders of spermatogenesis, changes in sex hormone levels and changes in sperm quality, such as hypospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia. It is important to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders in time in order to prevent negative effects on fertility and reproduction in animals.

PKM KESEHATAN FISIK DAN MENTAL PADA REMAJA DI SMPN 2 AMPLAPURA, KABUPATEN KARANGASEM, BALI

Adolescence is a period of change from child to teenager, these changes occur both physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychosocially as well as in the reproductive system. For men and women, the age limit for teenagers in the age range of 15-24 years without marriage is the age limit set by the Badan Kependudukan dan Keluarga Berencana Nasional (BKKBN). In this age range, physical changes occur, for teenage boys there is a change in voice, the growth of the Adam's apple, and physical changes in women with breast growth and maximum development of reproductive organs. At this time, there is a need for education and assistance for teenagers to maintain their physical and mental health and to avoid bullying. The service team conducted interviews with school officials and provided counseling to a number of teachers and students at SMPN 2 Amlapura on October 29, 2022. Counseling on physical and mental health was attended by 10 teachers and 32 junior high school students. The activity begins with giving a pretest, presentation of the material, question and answer, and posttest. The results of this activity were an increase of 11.67 for teachers, while for students there was an increase of 14.75. With this increase, it is hoped that teachers and students can maintain physical and mental health and avoid bullying.

Association of Atrazine-Induced Overexpression of Aldo-Keto-Reductase 1C2 (AKR1C2) with Hypoandrogenism and Infertility: An Experimental Study in Male Wistar Rat.

Atrazine (ATZ, C8H14ClN5) is a widely used synthetic herbicide that contaminates drinking water. It is a known endocrine disruptor that disrupts various molecular pathways involved in hormone signaling, and DNA damage, and can cause reproductive disorders, including decreased fertility, and abnormal development of reproductive organs, as revealed in animal model studies. However, the effect of ATZ on steroidogenesis in the male reproductive system, especially reduction of ketosteroids to hydroxysteroids, remains unclear. This study investigated the toxicity of ATZ on the male reproductive system in the Wistar rat model, with an emphasis on its adverse effect on aldo-ketoreductase family 1 member C2 (AKR1C2). Male Wistar rats were administered ATZ for 56days (duration of one spermatogenic cycle) through oral route, at 20, 40 and 60mg/kg body weight (bw) doses. The results indicate that ATZ exposure affects the body weight, impairs sperm production, and decrease FSH, LH, and testosterone levels. Additionally, the down-regulation of key steroidogenic enzymes by ATZ disrupted the synthesis of testosterone, leading to decreased levels of this essential male hormone. On the other hand, the expression of AKR1C2 (mRNA and protein) in the testis was upregulated. The findings suggest that AKR1C2 plays a role in androgen metabolism. Furthermore, its overexpression may lead to alteration in the expression of genes in the connected pathway, causing an increase in the breakdown or inactivation of androgens, which would result in lower androgen levels and, thereby, lead to hypoandrogenism, as the combined effects of down-regulation of steroidogenic genes and up-regulation of AKR1C2. These findings reveal direct implication of disrupted AKR1C2 in male reproductive health and highlight the need for further research on the impact of environmental toxins on human fertility, ultimately providing for better patient care.

Effect of mutations in the <i>Sym7</i>, <i>Sym19</i> and <i>Sym34</i> genes on the interaction of pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L.) with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus <i>Rhizophagus irregularis</i>

BACKGROUND: Within the pea (Pisum sativum L.) species, genotypes with high and low responsiveness to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can be distinguished. AIM: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pea responsiveness to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation may be inversely correlated with root colonization levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The wild-type line Finale with low responsiveness to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and symbiotic mutants obtained on its basis were used. Plants were grown under controlled climatic conditions with a deficiency of available phosphorus; the fungus Rhizophagus irregularis was used for inoculation. Parameters of plant growth and development of reproductive organs were determined 52 and 71 days after inoculation, which corresponded to the flowering and pod filling stages, respectively. RESULTS: All mutant lines under conditions without inoculation had generally reduced parameters compared to the original line Finale. Inoculation led to a decrease in many parameters in the line Finale. Mutations in the Sym7 and Sym34 genes, which led to a decrease or delay in the start of mycorrhization, respectively, contributed to the manifestation of a positive plant response to inoculation. The mutant in the Sym19 gene almost completely lacked intrartadical colonization, while inoculation had no effect on the growth and development of above-ground organs. CONCLUSIONS: The study results support the idea that reducing mycorrhization levels can have a positive effect on pea plants.

Molecular Characteristics and Expression Patterns of Carotenoid Cleavage Oxygenase Family Genes in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) cleave carotenoid molecules to produce bioactive products that influence the synthesis of hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones (SL), which regulate plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. Here, to explore the molecular characteristics of all members of the OsCCO family in rice, fourteen OsCCO family genes were identified in the genome-wide study. The results revealed that the OsCCO family included one OsNCED and four OsCCD subfamilies. The OsCCO family was phylogenetically close to members of the maize ZmCCO family and the Sorghum SbCCO family. A collinearity relationship was observed between OsNCED3 and OsNCED5 in rice, as well as OsCCD7 and OsNCED5 between rice and Arabidopsis, Sorghum, and maize. OsCCD4a and OsCCD7 were the key members in the protein interaction network of the OsCCO family, which was involved in the catabolic processes of carotenoids and terpenoid compounds. miRNAs targeting OsCCO family members were mostly involved in the abiotic stress response, and RNA-seq data further confirmed the molecular properties of OsCCO family genes in response to abiotic stress and hormone induction. qRT-PCR analysis showed the differential expression patterns of OsCCO members across various rice organs. Notably, OsCCD1 showed relatively high expression levels in all organs except for ripening seeds and endosperm. OsNCED2a, OsNCED3, OsCCD1, OsCCD4a, OsCCD7, OsCCD8a, and OsCCD8e were potentially involved in plant growth and differentiation. Meanwhile, OsNCED2a, OsNCED2b, OsNCED5, OsCCD8b, and OsCCD8d were associated with reproductive organ development, flowering, and seed formation. OsNCED3, OsCCD4b, OsCCD4c, OsCCD8b, and OsCCD8c were related to assimilate transport and seed maturation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further functional analysis of the OsCCO family.

Effect of Flowering Period on Drone Reproductive Parameters (Apis mellifera L.).

Insufficient protein intake during the larval phase of drones affects the development of reproductive organs and spermatogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the flowering-scarcity and flowering-onset periods on the eversion of the copulatory apparatus, ejaculation, and sperm quality of drones (Apis mellifera L.). To stimulate the laying of drone eggs during the flowering-scarcity period, 1 L of sugar syrup was supplied weekly to the hives, along with a protein supplement made of 20% pollen and 80% brewer's yeast. During the periods of flowering scarcity and the onset of flowering, 800 drones were collected (200 per month). At the onset of flowering, 270 drones showed eversion of the copulatory apparatus, of which 162 ejaculated, compared to the flowering-scarcity period, where 112 drones showed eversion of the copulatory apparatus and 39 drones ejaculated. During the period of flowering onset, sperm parameters such as volume, concentration, motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity were higher compared to the period of flowering scarcity. In conclusion, we observed a greater number of drones with eversion of the copulatory apparatus and ejaculation, as well as better sperm quality with the drones bred during the period of flowering onset. These differences indicate that the flowering-scarcity period significantly impacts the reproductive parameters of drones.

Progress on SOX9 and its enhancers in mammalian sex determination.

The sex determination in mammals refers to the development of an initial bipotential organ, termed the bipotential gonad/genital ridge, into either a testis or an ovary at the early stages of embryonic development, under the precise regulation of transcription factors. SOX9 (SRY-box transcription factor 9) is a multifunctional transcription factor in mammalian development and plays a critical role in sex determination and subsequent male reproductive organs development. Recent studies have shown that several enhancers upstream of SOX9 also play an important role in the process of sex determination. In this review, we summarize the progress on the role of SOX9 and its gonadal enhancers in sex determination. This review will facilitate to understand the regulatory mechanism of sex determination of SOX9 and provides a theoretical basis for the further development of animal sex manipulation technologies.

An incoherent feed-forward loop involving bHLH transcription factors, Auxin and CYCLIN-Ds regulates style radial symmetry establishment in Arabidopsis.

The bilateral-to-radial symmetry transition occurring during the development of the Arabidopsis thaliana female reproductive organ (gynoecium) is a crucial biological process linked to plant fertilization and seed production. Despite its significance, the cellular mechanisms governing the establishment and breaking of radial symmetry at the gynoecium apex (style) remain unknown. To fill this gap, we employed quantitative confocal imaging coupled with MorphoGraphX analysis, in vivo and in vitro transcriptional experiments, and genetic analysis encompassing mutants in two bHLH transcription factors necessary and sufficient to promote transition to radial symmetry, SPATULA (SPT) and INDEHISCENT (IND). Here, we show that defects in style morphogenesis correlate with defects in cell-division orientation and rate. We showed that the SPT-mediated accumulation of auxin in the medial-apical cells undergoing symmetry transition is required to maintain cell-division-oriented perpendicular to the direction of organ growth (anticlinal, transversal cell division). In addition, SPT and IND promote the expression of specific core cell-cycle regulators, CYCLIN-D1;1 (CYC-D1;1) and CYC-D3;3, to support progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This transcriptional regulation is repressed by auxin, thus forming an incoherent feed-forward loop mechanism. We propose that this mechanism fine-tunes cell division rate and orientation with the morphogenic signal provided by auxin, during patterning of radial symmetry at the style.

A Conceptual Analytic Study of Sex Determination or Ling Nirdharana in Ayurveda

Abstract: All parents have long desired healthy, intelligent, and beautiful children, as reflected in concepts from classical texts like "Suputrakameeya." Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, provides simple methods to ensure the birth of a healthy child, beginning with partner selection and addressing factors related to fetal development, including fertilization and sex determination. It emphasizes the roles of Shukra (sperm) and Shonita (ovum) in conception, with the dominance of Shonita leading to female offspring and Shukra to male offspring. Similarly, modern science determines sex by the presence of X and Y chromosomes, with the Y chromosome playing a crucial role in male development. Hormones such as Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and testosterone influence the development of reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics. Both Ayurveda and contemporary science provide valuable insights into the genetic and biological aspects of human development

Transcriptome-Wide Identification of m6A Writers, Erasers and Readers and Their Expression Profiles under Various Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Pinus massoniana Lamb.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification is the most prevalent form of RNA methylation and plays a crucial role in plant development. However, our understanding of m6A modification in Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) remains limited. In this study, a complete analysis of m6A writers, erasers, and readers in Masson pine was performed, and 22 m6A regulatory genes were identified in total, including 7 m6A writers, 7 m6A erases, and 8 readers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all m6A regulators involved in Masson pine could be classified into three distinct groups based on their domains and motifs. The tissue expression analysis revealed that the m6A regulatory gene may exert a significant influence on the development of reproductive organs and leaves in Masson pine. Moreover, the results from stress and hormone expression analysis indicated that the m6A regulatory gene in Masson pine might be involved in drought stress response, ABA-signaling-pathway activation, as well as resistance to Monochamus alternatus. This study provided valuable and anticipated insights into the regulatory genes of m6A modification and their potential epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in Masson pine.

The Impact of High-Temperature Stress on Gut Microbiota and Reproduction in Siberian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

Global warming has induced alterations in the grassland ecosystem, such as elevated temperatures and decreased precipitation, which disturb the equilibrium of these ecosystems and impact various physiological processes of grassland rodents, encompassing growth, development, and reproduction. As global warming intensifies, the repercussions of high-temperature stress on small mammals are garnering increased attention. Recently, research has highlighted that the composition and ratio of gut microbiota are not only shaped by environmental factors and the host itself but also reciprocally influence an array of physiological functions and energy metabolism in animals. In this research, we combined 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing with conventional physiological assessments, to elucidate the consequences of high-temperature stress on the gut microbiota structure and reproductive capacity of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). The results were as follows: 1. The growth and development of male and female hamsters in the high-temperature group were delayed, with lower body weight and reduced food intake. 2. High temperature inhibits the development of reproductive organs in both female and male hamsters. 3. High temperature changes the composition and proportion of gut microbiota, reducing bacteria that promote reproduction, such as Pseudobutyricoccus, Ruminiclostridium-E, Sporofaciens, UMGS1071, and CAG_353. Consequently, our study elucidates the specific impacts of high-temperature stress on the gut microbiota dynamics and reproductive health of Siberian hamsters, thereby furnishing insights for managing rodent populations amidst global climatic shifts. It also offers a valuable framework for understanding seasonal variations in mammalian reproductive strategies, contributing to the broader discourse on conservation and adaptation under changing environmental conditions.

Monitoring and Occurrence Prediction of the Migration Population of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) Based on Adult Semiochemical Attractants

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a destructive agricultural pest. Facultative migration usually causes regional catastrophes; therefore, developing a simple and easy new technology for the monitoring and early warning of immigrant populations is urgent. Between 2021 and 2023, we conducted a population-monitoring study on H. armigera immigrants in Xundian County, Yunnan Province, where the migration pathway for pests from southeast Asia extends to southwest China. Based on the differences in the reproductive organ development parameters of H. armigera at different ages, we established an adult age discrimination model. The monitoring results of field populations with semiochemical attractants and sex pheromones between 2021 and 2023 showed that the daily average age of the adult population of H. armigera fluctuated above 6 days, and the trapping dynamics with semiochemical attractants and sex pheromones were the same. Both trapping methods yielded H. armigera males of different ages and had identical age structures, indicating that the H. armigera population primarily migrated from other regions. The trajectory analysis showed that the H. armigera population that migrated to Xundian between May and September was primarily from South Kunming, and after October, it was primarily the southward-migrating population north of Qujing City, Yunnan Province. Based on the relationship between the daily average fecundity and the age of H. armigera, a dynamic prediction model for the fecundity of the immigrant population was established. In this study, the prediction models and methods based on semiochemical attractants could potentially be used in the surveillance and population alerting of H. armigera.

Soybean Bioactive Peptide Supplementation Affects the Intestinal Immune Antioxidant Function, Microbial Diversity, and Reproductive Organ Development in Roosters.

Soybean is an important source of high-quality vegetable protein with various health-improving properties, and its main bioactive substances are small peptides produced by in vitro enzymatic hydrolytic processes. In traditional layer breeding, the nutritional health of roosters is frequently neglected, ultimately affecting the quality and quantity of offspring. This study investigated the effects of various quantities (0%, 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, and 0.60%) of soybean bioactive peptide (SBP) feed additives on immunological and antioxidant functions, gut health, and reproductive performance of roosters. SBP supplementation significantly improved male growth and reproductive performance, including growth rate, feed conversion ratio, reproductive organ development, and semen quality. SBP also increased immune and antioxidant levels, boosted the integrity of the small intestinal physiological structure and barrier function, and diversity of cecal microbes, and decreased the apoptotic ratio of small intestinal epithelial cells. The effects of SBP on various functions of males showed a quadratic trend, with the optimal concentration determined to be 0.45%.

SlPP2C2 interacts with FZY/SAUR and regulates tomato development via signaling crosstalk of ABA and auxin.

Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling interacts frequently with auxin signaling when it regulates plant development, affecting multiple physiological processes; however, to the best of our knowledge, their interaction during tomato development has not yet been reported. Here, we found that type 2C protein phosphatase (SlPP2C2) interacts with both flavin monooxygenase FZY, an indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthetic enzyme, and small auxin upregulated RNA (SAUR) of an IAA signaling protein and regulates their activity, thereby affecting the expression of IAA-responsive genes. The expression level of SlPP2C2 was increased by exogenous ABA, IAA, NaCl, or dehydration treatment of fruits, leaves, and seeds, and it decreased in imbibed seeds. Manipulating SlPP2C2 with overexpression, RNA interference, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing resulted in pleiotropic changes, such as morphological changes in leaves, stem trichomes, floral organs and fruits, accompanied by alterations in IAA and ABA levels. Furthermore, the RNA-seq analysis indicated that SlPP2C2 regulates the expression of auxin-/IAA-responsive genes in different tissues of tomato. The results demonstrate that SlPP2C2-mediated ABA signaling regulates the development of both vegetative and reproductive organs via interaction with FZY/SAUR, which integrates the cross-talk of ABA and auxin signals during development and affects the expressions of development-related genes in tomato.

A non-canonical BZR/BES transcription factor regulates the development of haploid reproductive organs in Marchantia polymorpha.

Gametogenesis, which is essential to the sexual reproductive system, has drastically changed during plant evolution. Bryophytes, lycophytes and ferns develop reproductive organs called gametangia-antheridia and archegonia for sperm and egg production, respectively. However, the molecular mechanism of early gametangium development remains unclear. Here we identified a 'non-canonical' type of BZR/BES transcription factor, MpBZR3, as a regulator of gametangium development in a model bryophyte, Marchantia polymorpha. Interestingly, overexpression of MpBZR3 induced ectopic gametangia. Genetic analysis revealed that MpBZR3 promotes the early phase of antheridium development in male plants. By contrast, MpBZR3 is required for the late phase of archegonium development in female plants. We demonstrate that MpBZR3 is necessary for the successful development of both antheridia and archegonia but functions in a different manner between the two sexes. Together, the functional specialization of this 'non-canonical' type of BZR/BES member may have contributed to the evolution of reproductive systems.

Ethynylestradiol feminizes gene expression partly in testis developing as ovotestis and disrupts asymmetric Müllerian duct development by eliminating asymmetric gene expression in Japanese quail embryos.

In avian embryos, xenoestrogens induce abnormalities in reproductive organs, particularly the testes and Müllerian ducts (MDs). However, the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of ethynylestradiol (EE2) exposure on gene expression associated with reproductive organ development in Japanese quail embryos. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis revealed that the left testis containing ovary-like tissues following EE2 exposure highly expressed the genes for steroidogenic enzymes (P450scc, P45017α, lyase, and 3β-HSD) and estrogen receptor-β, compared to the right testis. No asymmetry was found in these gene expression without EE2. EE2 induced hypertrophy in female MDs and suppressed atrophy in male MDs on both sides. RNA sequencing analysis of female MDs showed 1,366 differentially expressed genes between developing left MD and atrophied right MD in the absence of EE2, and these genes were enriched in Gene Ontology terms related to organogenesis, including cell proliferation, migration and differentiation, and angiogenesis. However, EE2 reduced asymmetrically expressed genes to 21. RT-qPCR analysis indicated that genes promoting cell cycle progression and oncogenesis were more highly expressed in the left MD than in the right MD, but EE2 eliminated such asymmetric gene expression by increasing levels on the right side. EE2-exposed males showed overexpression of these genes in both MDs. This study reveals part of the molecular basis of xenoestrogen-induced abnormalities in avian reproductive organs, where EE2 may partly feminize gene expression in the left testis, developing as the ovotestis, and induce bilateral MD malformation by canceling asymmetric gene expression underlying MD development.

Volatile communication in plants relies on a KAI2-mediated signaling pathway.

Plants are constantly exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released during plant-plant communication, within-plant self-signaling, and plant-microbe interactions. Therefore, understanding VOC perception and downstream signaling is vital for unraveling the mechanisms behind information exchange in plants, which remain largely unexplored. Using the hormone-like function of volatile terpenoids in reproductive organ development as a system with a visual marker for communication, we demonstrate that a petunia karrikin-insensitive receptor, PhKAI2ia, stereospecifically perceives the (-)-germacrene D signal, triggering a KAI2-mediated signaling cascade and affecting plant fitness. This study uncovers the role(s) of the intermediate clade of KAI2 receptors, illuminates the involvement of a KAI2ia-dependent signaling pathway in volatile communication, and provides new insights into plant olfaction and the long-standing question about the nature of potential endogenous KAI2 ligand(s).

Candidate target genes of the male-specific expressed Doublesex in the termite Reticulitermes speratus.

Eusocial insects such as termites, ants, bees, and wasps exhibit a reproductive division of labor. The developmental regulation of reproductive organ (ovaries and testes) is crucial for distinguishing between reproductive and sterile castes. The development of reproductive organ in insects is regulated by sex-determination pathways. The sex determination gene Doublesex (Dsx), encoding transcription factors, plays an important role in this pathway. Therefore, clarifying the function of Dsx in the developmental regulation of sexual traits is important to understand the social evolution of eusocial insects. However, no studies have reported the function of Dsx in hemimetabolous eusocial group termites. In this study, we searched for binding sites and candidate target genes of Dsx in species with available genome information as the first step in clarifying the function of Dsx in termites. First, we focused on the Reticulitermes speratus genome and identified 101 candidate target genes of Dsx. Using a similar method, we obtained 112, 39, and 76 candidate Dsx target genes in Reticulitermes lucifugus, Coptotermes formosanus, and Macrotermes natalensis, respectively. Second, we compared the candidate Dsx target genes between species and identified 37 common genes between R. speratus and R. lucifugus. These included several genes probably involved in spermatogenesis and longevity. However, only a few common target genes were identified between R. speratus and the other two species. Finally, Dsx dsRNA injection resulted in the differential expression of several target genes, including piwi-like protein and B-box type zinc finger protein ncl-1 in R. speratus. These results provide valuable resource data for future functional analyses of Dsx in termites.

Transposable elements acquire time- and sex-specific transcriptional and epigenetic signatures along mouse fetal gonad development.

Gonadal sex determination in mice is a complex and dynamic process, which is crucial for the development of functional reproductive organs. The expression of genes involved in this process is regulated by a variety of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Recently, there has been increasing evidence that transposable elements (TEs), which are a class of mobile genetic elements, play a significant role in regulating gene expression during embryogenesis and organ development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of TEs in the regulation of gene expression during mouse embryonic gonadal development. Through bioinformatics analysis, we aimed to identify and characterize specific TEs that operate as regulatory elements for sex-specific genes, as well as their potential mechanisms of regulation. We identified TE loci expressed in a time- and sex-specific manner along fetal gonad development that correlate positively and negatively with nearby gene expression, suggesting that their expression is integrated to the gonadal regulatory network. Moreover, chromatin accessibility and histone post-transcriptional modification analyses in differentiating supporting cells revealed that TEs are acquiring a sex-specific signature for promoter-, enhancer-, and silencer-like elements, with some of them being proximal to critical sex-determining genes. Altogether, our study introduces TEs as the new potential players in the gene regulatory network that controls gonadal development in mammals.