Single-Cell Transcriptomics reveals relaxed evolutionary constraint of spermatogenesis in two passerine birds as compared to mammals

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 23, 2022

Abstract Spermatogenesis is a complex process where spermatogonia develop into haploid, mobile sperm cells. The genes guiding this are subject to an evolutionary trade-off between preserving basic functions of while acquiring new traits ensuring advantages in competition over fertilization female gametes. In species with XY sex chromosomes, the outcome found vary across stages spermatogenesis but remains unexplored for ZW chromosomes. Here we characterize avian at single cell resolution from testis collared and pied flycatchers. We find evidence relaxed constraint expressed spermatocyte cells going through meiosis. An overrepresentation Z-linked differentially two stage suggests that associated lack sex-chromosome silencing during conclude high throughput bird spermatogenesis, least partly, explained by developmental constraint.

Language: Английский

---

Resource-dependent investment in male sexual traits in a viviparous fish

Behavioral Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(5), P. 954 - 966

Published: June 23, 2022

Abstract Exaggerated and conspicuous sexually selected traits are often costly to produce maintain. Costly expected show resource-dependent expression, since limited resources prevent animals from investing maximally in multiple simultaneously. However, there may be critical periods during an individual’s life where the expression of is altered if limited. Moreover, sexual arise selection acting both before (pre-copulatory) after mating (post-copulatory). Gaining a robust understanding trait therefore requires approach that examines episodes resource limitation different times life. Yet few studies have taken such approach. Here, we examine how restriction influences set pre- post-copulatory male pygmy halfbeaks (Dermogenys collettei), which invest ornaments routinely engage male–male contests sperm competition. Critically, examined responses males when were restricted development reaching maturity. Both halfbeaks. Body size, beak courtship behavior, testes size reduced by diet restriction, while, unexpectedly, restricted-diet group had larger area red color on fins treatment. These patterns generally consistent The study reinforces role acquisition maintaining variation among traits.

Language: Английский

---

Fertilization modes and the evolution of sperm characteristics in marine fishes: Paired comparisons of externally and internally fertilizing species

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Fertilization mode may affect sperm characteristics, such as morphology, velocity, and motility. However, there is little information on how fertilization affects evolution because several factors (e.g., competition) are intricately intertwined when phylogenetically distant species compared. Here, we investigated characteristics by comparing seven externally four internally fertilizing marine fishes from three different groups containing close relatives, considering competition levels. The head was significantly slenderer in internal fertilizers than external fertilizers, suggesting that a slender advantageous for swimming viscous ovarian fluid or narrow spaces of the ovary. In addition, motility differed between fertilizers; were only motile seawater, whereas an isotonic solution. These results suggest adapted according to mode. By contrast, total length velocity not associated with mode, perhaps levels competition. Relative testis mass (an index level) positively correlated negatively ratio length. findings higher have faster longer flagella relative contradict previous assumption increases copulatory behavior insemination involve large genital but this essential fish, existence various transfer methods. Although power our analyses strong limited number species, propose new scenario which would increase length, change

Language: Английский

---

Genes underlying the evolution of tetrapod testes size

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: Aug. 18, 2021

Abstract Background Testes vary widely in mass relative to body across species, but we know very little about which genes underlie and contribute such variation. This is partly because evidence for are implicated testis size variation tends come from investigations involving just one or a few species. Contemporary comparative phylogenetic methods provide an opportunity test candidate their role phenotypic change at macro-evolutionary scale—across species over millions of years. Previous attempts detect genotype-phenotype associations have been limited that they can only where driven directional selection (e.g. brain increase). Results Here, introduce approach uses rates evolutionary overcome this limitation whether any twelve evolution tetrapod vertebrates—regardless directionality. We do by seeking relationship between the genetic evolution. Our results reveal five ( Alkbh5 , Dmrtb1 Pld6 Nlrp3 Sp4 ) each played unique complex roles diversity. In all genes, find strong significant rate protein-coding substitutions Such association has never, our knowledge, tested before gene phenotype. Conclusions describe new tackle most fundamental questions biology: how individual give rise biological diversity? The ability acted potential build picture natural sculpted

Language: Английский

---

Testes size seen through the glass of amphibian care

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 39(5), P. 421 - 423

Published: April 9, 2024

Despite the great diversity of parental care types found in amphibians, studies linking them to post-copulatory sexually selected traits are scarce, presumably due a lack data. Valencia-Aguilar et al. used fieldwork and museum collections show that paternal appears trade-off with testes size glass frogs.

Language: Английский

---

Relationships between vocalization characteristics and sperm traits in a neotropical treefrog

Evolutionary Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 37(5), P. 797 - 813

Published: July 26, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Size is not everything: Nuanced effects of female multiple mating and annual litter number on testes size in terrestrial mammals

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 322(2), P. 101 - 112

Published: Nov. 22, 2023

Abstract Sperm production represents a costly reproductive investment by males. High competition within the female tract may select for higher sperm counts or quality resulting in selection larger testes size. In species where females mate multiply have more offspring per litter (litter size), litters year rate), male relative size (i.e., scaled body mass). Given that different mating systems vary alternative forms of available to males, levels with social system. Here, we examined relationship between and systems, size, rate while considering lifespan paternal care 224 terrestrial mammalian 15 orders. Relative was mated multiple Furthermore, females, rates had compared fewer year. contrast, monogamous species, smaller sizes Neither longevity nor influenced Our results elucidate effect strategies on is nuanced varies systems. findings suggest interplay be similar

Language: Английский

---

Low sperm to egg ratio required for successfulin vitrofertilization in a pair-spawning teleost, Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 8(3)

Published: March 1, 2021

Cultured Senegalese sole ( Solea senegalensis ) breeders fail to spawn fertilized eggs. The implantation of large-scale in vitro fertilization protocols, solve this problem, has been frustrated by low production poor quality sperm. females were induced ovulate with a 5 µg kg −1 single injection gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and viable eggs (82.6 ± 9.2% fertilization) stripped 41:57 1:46 h after the injection. Sperm was collected from cultured males, diluted modified Leibovitz used fresh fertilize Males not treated hormones. A nonlinear regression, an exponential rise maximum R = 0.93, p < 0.0001) described number motile spermatozoa required egg 1617 sufficient 99 12% (±95% CI) Similar, ratios 592 611 fertilizations (190 512 38 471 eggs). sperm male (145 50 µl or 8.0 6.8 × 10 8 spermatozoa) mean hatching rate 70 14% provide 131 540 34 448 larvae per fertilization. viability unfertilized stored at room temperature decreased gradually, sooner stripping, higher collection directly into syringe containing significantly increased percentage (33.4 12.2%) compared other methods. spz for lower end fish. have pair-spawning reproductive behaviour characterized gamete close proximity no competition. provision protocol (200 100 ml eggs) will enable industry operate sustainably implement breeding programmes improve production.

Language: Английский

---

Pre- and postcopulatory competition affect testes mass and organization differently in two monophyletic mole-rat species, Georychus capensis and Fukomys damarensis

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(5), P. 993 - 1002

Published: Jan. 31, 2023

Abstract Sperm competition results from postcopulatory continuation of male–male for paternity. The level sperm is predicted to be highest in species with greater polyandry and weakest monogamous pairs. levels can indexed using traits that reflect male investment fertilization, particularly relative testes mass (RTM). However, the relationship between RTM may also influenced by precopulatory selecting higher testosterone, produced testes. To test both pre- we compared two bathyergid mole-rat species, promiscuous Georychus capensis eusocial Fukomys damarensis. had not only larger RTM, but a proportion spermatogenic tissue, maximizing germ cell production as well. Conversely, smaller testes, interstitial tissue (which contains androgenic Leydig cells) testosterone. Consequently, testicular well under selection, these are normally measured. More research required on different relation selection pressures.

Language: Английский

---

Co-evolutionary dynamics of mammalian brain and body size

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 9, 2023

Summary Despite decades of comparative studies, fundamental questions remain about how brain and body size co-evolved. Divergent explanations exist concurrently in the literature for phenomena such as variation relative to size, variability scaling relationship across taxonomic levels between groups, purported evolutionary trends. Here we resolve these issues using a comprehensive dataset masses mammal radiation, method enabling us study mass evolution while estimating their rates along branches phylogeny. Contrary rarely questioned assumption log-linear relationship, find that curvilinear model best describes log mass. This greatly simplifies our understanding mammalian brain-body co-evolution: it can simultaneously explain both much-discussed taxon-level effect slopes intercepts previously attributed complex patterns. We also document substantial evolution, with bursts change scattered through tree. General trends increasing over time are found only three orders, most extreme case being primates, setting stage uniquely rapid directional increase ultimately produced computational powers human brain.

Language: Английский

---