Sex-specific facilitation and reproduction of the gynodioecious cushion plant Arenaria polytrichoides on the Himalaya-Hengduan mountains,SW China

When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytrichiodes as a model species,we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio,and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios.The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites.Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites.These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity,and female cushion A.polytrichoides may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production,while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production.The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries.In addition,strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites,but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs.However,the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females,suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites.All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion A.polytrichoides,with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites.Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs,in long-term perspective,may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.

Identifying sex-specific injury predictors as a key factor in maintaining optimal physical activity levels

BACKGROUND Optimal physical activity is known to reduce cardiovascular,respiratory and endocrine system diseases and,as a consequence,improve quality of life.An important risk factor for reinjuries during normal exercise is the initial connective tissue pathology.The variety of clinical dysplastic manifestations significantly complicate the timely diagnosis of this comorbidity.AIM To establish pathognomonic sex-specific dysplasia phenotypes that indicate a particular sensitivity to physical exertion.METHODS The study involved 117 participants with recurrent musculoskeletal injuries that occurred during normal exercise.There were 67 women(57.26%)and 50 men(42.74%),which made it possible to compare the presence of the identified signs between sexes.A validated questionnaire was used to screen their connective tissue status.RESULTS Ranking the most commonly revealed dysplasia signs depending on their clinical significance made it possible to establish pathognomonic sex-specific phenotypes that indicated a particular susceptibility to injuries.Individualized programs of optimal physical activity are necessary for men with chest deformities,flat-valgus feet,dolichostenomelia,arachnodactylia,hemorrhoids,abdominal muscle diastasis and recurrent hernias.In women,special sensitivity to physical exertion was associated with a combination of signs such as asthenic body,joint hypermobility,overly soft auricles,thin hyperelastic skin,atrophic striae,telangiectasias and varicose veins.Of particular importance were universal signs such as gothic palate,scoliosis,kyphosis,leg deformities,temporomandibular joint crunching,and moderate to high myopia.CONCLUSION Participants’connective tissue condition should be considered when designing optimal physical activity programs.Identifying the established sex-specific dysplasia phenotypes will allow timely optimization of training loads,thus reducing the risk of injury.

Identification of global alternative splicing and sex-specific splicing via comparative transcriptome analysis of gonads of Chinese tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Chinese tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)is an economically important marine fish species with a ZZ/ZW sex determination mechanism,which can be influenced by temperature.Alternative splicing(AS)is an important mechanism regulating the expression of genes related to sex determination and gonadal differentiation,but has rarely been reported in fish.In this study,to explore the molecular regulatory mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal differentiation,we combined isoform and RNA sequencing(Iso-Seq and RNA-Seq)to perform transcriptome profiling of male and female gonads in C.semilaevis.In total,81883 and 32341 full-length transcripts were obtained in males and females,respectively.A total of 8279 AS genes were identified,including 2639 genes showing differential AS(DAS)between males and females.Many intersecting DAS genes and differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were enriched in the meiotic cell cycle pathway,and genes related to gonadal differentiation,such as esrrb and wt1a,were found to have sex-specific isoforms.Thus,this study revealed AS events in the gonadal transcriptomes of male and female C.semilaevis,described the characteristics of active transcription in the testes,and identified candidate genes for studying the regulatory mechanisms of AS during gonadal differentiation.

Unveiling potential sex-determining genes and sex-specific markers in autotetraploid Carassius auratus

Autotetraploid Carassius auratus is a stable hereditary autotetraploid fish resulting from the hybridization of Carassius auratus red var.(RCC,♀)×Megalobrama amblycephala(BSB,♂),containing four sets of RCC chromosomes.However,the molecular mechanism underlying the determination of sex in this species remains largely unknown.Currently,there lacks a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing sex determination and specific molecular markers to differentiate sex in this species.In this study,25,801,677 SNPs(Singlenucleotide polymorphism)and 6,210,306 Indels(insertion-deletion)were obtained from whole-genome resequencing of 100 individuals(including 50 female and 50 male).Further identification confirmed the candidate chromosomes as Chr46B,with the sex-determining region located at Chr46B:22,500,000‒22,800,000 bp.Based on the male-specific insertion(26 bp)within the candidate sex-determining region,a pair of sex-specific molecular markers has been identified.In addition,based on the screening of candidate sex-determining region genes and RT-qPCR validation analysis,ADAM10,AQP9 and tc1a were identified as candidate sex-determining genes.These findings provide a robust foundation for investigating sex determination mechanisms in fish,the evolution of sex chromosomes,and the development of monosex populations.

Sex-specific effects of organophosphate ester exposure on child growth trajectories in the first two years

The connections between urinary organophosphate ester(OPE)metabolites and child growth have been identified in prior research,but there is currently a dearth of epidemiological evidence regarding the sex-specific impact of OPEs on child growth trajectories.This study enrolled 804 maternal-child pairs,and five OPE congeners were quantified in maternal serum during pregnancy.In this study,the impact of prenatal OPE exposure on child growth trajectories was assessed using linear mixed-effect models and a group-based trajectory model(GBTM),with consideration given to sex-specific effects.Fetuses were frequently exposed to OPEs in utero,and tris(2-butoxyethel)phosphate(TBEP)exhibited the highest concentration levels in maternal serum.Among male children,an increase of 2.72 ng/g lipid in TBEP concentration was associated with a 0.11-unit increase in head circumference-for-age z-score(HCAZ),and the effect was mainly concentrated at 1 and 2 months of age.Among female children,an increase of 2.72 ng/g lipid in tris(2-chloro-1-(chloromethyl)ethyl)phosphate(TDCPP)concentration was associated with a 0.15-unit increase in length-for-age z-score(LAZ)and a 0.14-unit increase in weight-for-age z-score(WAZ),and the effects were mainly concentrated at 9 months of age.For HCAZ trajectories,higher prenatal TBEP exposure was associated with higher odds for the fast growth group in male children.For the LAZ and WAZ trajectories,higher prenatal TDCPP exposure was associated with higher odds for the fast growth group in female children.The trajectory analysis approach provided insight into the complex associations between OPE exposure and child growth.

FURTHER STUDIES OF THE SEX-SPECIFIC PHOTORECEPTOR OF THE COMPOUND EYE OF THE HOUSEFLY

I. INTRODUCTIONThe sex-specific photoreceptors of the compound eye of the housefly are important in the visual information processing of the eye, especially that related to the chasing behaviour. In the past few years, Franceschini et al. (1981), Hardie et al. (1981), Hardie (1983) and WU Wei-guo et al. (1986) have found the sex-specific central retinula cells, R7 (subsequently designated as R7s), in the dorsal region of the compound eye of the male housefly but not in the female housefly.

Sex-speciffc selective effect of winter weather on morphological traits in a small passerine bird

Harsh environmental conditions often impose strong selection on the phenotype of natural populations through impacts on their fitness.For overwintering birds,winter is an important period for survival because the weather conditions in winter is usually severer than in other seasons and birds often suffer more thermoregulation costs while food is in short supply.Thus,the selective effect of weather conditions on phenotype in winter is expected to be strong.In this study,we examined the relationship of overwinter survival of Silver-throated Tits(Aegithalos glaucogularis)with their morphological traits under different levels of winter conditions(winters with and without snowstorms)to explore the differential selective effect of winter weather on their morphology.We found that regardless of whether the winter experienced a snowstorm,the female Silver-throated Tits with a smaller bill surface area or smaller bill depth and a smaller surface area:volume ratio were more likely to survive during the winter,which supported the hypothesis of selection for heat retention.Furthermore,the females with a smaller body length survived better than the larger females,indicating that the lesser food requirements for smaller body sizes may confer advantages during the winter when food availability was reduced.In addition,in agreement with the finding in many short-lived birds that survival rate increases with the increase of age,older(≥2-year-old)female Silver-throated Tits had higher overwinter survival than 1-year-old females.However,we did not find any correlation of morphological traits and age with survival in male Silver-throated Tits.These results illustrate differential selective effects of winter weather on female and male Silver-throated Tits and contribute to the knowledge of sex-specific selection on the phenotype of natural populations.

A Sex-linked Microsatellite Marker Reveals Male Heterogamety in Quasipaa boulengeri(Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Few amphibians possess morphologically distinguishable heteromorphic sex chromosomes.The classic indirect method is a time-consuming and resource-demanding task to identify the heterogametic sex.Here we have taken advantage of a sex-specific microsatellite marker,by amplifying a large number of samples of known male and female individuals from various populations,to reveal a homogeneous pattern of male heterogamety in Quasipaa boulengeri.The identification of the heterogametic sex will help interpreting the evolution of sex determination.Besides relevance for evolutionary studies of sex determination,the sex-linked markers have potential for addressing practical issues in conservation biology because the sex reversal that caused by anthropogenic endocrine disruptors is considered as a reason for amphibian decline.

Why women see differently from the way men see? A review of sex differences in cognition and sports

The differences of learning and memory between males and females have been well documented and confirmed by both human and animal studies. The sex differences in cognition started from early stage of neuronal development and last through entire lifespan. The major biological basis of the gender-dependent cognitive activity includes two major components： sex hormone and sex-related characteristics, such as sex- determining region of the Y chromosome （SRY） protein. However, the knowledge of how much biology of sex contributes to normal cogni- tive function and elite athletes in various sports are still pretty limited. In this review, we will be focusing on sex differences in spatial learning and memory -- especially the role of male- and female-type cognitive behaviors in sports.

Cue hierarchy in the foraging behaviour of the brackish cladoceran Daphniopsis australis

Zooplankton communities are an essential component of marine and freshwater food webs. However, there is still a relative lack of information on how these organisms behaviourally respond to a range of abiotic and biotic stressors. Specifically, the behaviour of the cladoceran D aphniopsis australis, a species endemic to South-eastern Australian saline lakes and ponds, is still unknown despite its potential role in the structure and function of inland water ecosystems. The swimming behaviour of males, parthenogenetic females and epiphial females was investigated under various conditions and combinations of food and conspecific cues. In the absence of cues, males displayed the most extensive swimming behaviour, exploring all areas of the container, and swimming in a series of relatively straight trajectories. In contrast, females typically exhibited a hop-and-sink motion characterised by the alternation between short bursts of swimming and sinking phases. Both females spent long periods near the bottom of the container, but epiphial females appeared to be more active than parthenogenetic ones that rarely made an excursion in the water column. In the presence of cues, males and females showed abilities to detect infochemicals from food and conspecifics, but exhibited specific behavioural strategies. Males essentially increased their swimming speed in the presence of food and/or conspecific infochemicals, and this increase was independent on the source of the cues, i.e. food, conspecific or a mixture of food and conspecifics. In contrast, females exhibited cue hierarchies that were related to their sexual status. Parthenogenetic females swam faster in the presence of food and a mixture of food and conspecific infochemicals than in the presence of cue from the opposite sex, which did not significantly differ from control observations conducted in the absence of cues. Epiphial females decreased their swimming speed in the presence of cues, with the most significant behavioural answers being driven by sex-related cues.

Why sex differences in schizophrenia？

Clinical observation shows that men and women are different in prevalence, symptoms, and responses to treatment of several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. While the etiology of gender differences in schizophrenia is only partially understood, recent genetic studies suggest significant sex-specific pathways in the schizophrenia between men and women. More research is needed to understand the causal roles of sex differences in schizophrenia in order to ultimately develop sex-specific treatment of this serious mental illness. In the present review, we will out-line the current evidence on the sex-related factors interaction with disease onset, symptoms and treatment of schizophrenia, and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms that may mediate their cooperative actions in schizophrenia pathogenesis.

Rhizosphere microbe populations but not root traits induced by drought in Populus euphratica males

How sex-related root traits and soil microbes and their interactions respond to drought remains unclear.Here,we investigated how fine root traits and the composition of rhizosphere microbial communities in Populus euphratica females and males respond to drought in concert in 17-year-old plantations.Females increased specific root length(SRL)in response to drought.However,males showed no changes in their roots but significant increases in arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphal biomass and population of Gram-negative bacteria in the rhizosphere.Also,fungal symbiotroph communities associated with root systems in males differed from those in females under drought.We further demonstrated that the Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria ratios positively correlated with the SRL,while fungi to bacteria ratios were negatively correlated.Meanwhile,the relative abundance of symbiotrophs was negatively correlated with the SRL,while saprotroph abundance was positively correlated.Nevertheless,the relative abundance of symbiotrophs was positively correlated with the root carbon content(RCC).These findings indicate that microbial responses to drought depend highly upon the sex of the plant and microbial group and are related to root trait adjustments to drought.This discovery also highlights the role of plant-microbial interactions in the ecosystems of P.euphratica forest plantations.

Production of XX neo-male mandarin fish, Siniperca chuatsi, after sexual differentiation by oral administration of 17α-methyltestosterone

A well-known fact about mandarin fish(Siniperca chuatsi)is that females grow faster than males.Mandarin fish that have all-female populations have economic advantages,but traditional neo-male fish are difficult to produce.In this study,indirect feeding of 500 mg/kg 17α-methyltestosterone(MT)to XX mandarin fish(60 dpf,days post fertilization)with completely differentiated ovaries induced secondary sex reversal.At 40 days after MT treatment,14.7%of mandarin fish with complete reversal was produced,which showed for the first time that XX mandarin fishes with differentiated ovaries still have potentially bisexual germ cells and the plasticity of sex reversal.In the MT treatment group,there was no significant difference in survival compared to the control group.The body weight of the MT treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group 40 days after treatment(dat)(P<0.05).During MT treatment,serum 11-KT and T concentrations increased and serum E2 concentration decreased in the MT treatment group,but there was no significant difference in hormone levels between the MT treatment group and the control group.A masculinization of mandarin fish was also confirmed by the expression patterns of sex-specific genes sox9,dmrt1,cyp19a1a and foxl2.A significant amount of sox9 and dmrt1 was expressed in the fish gonads of the MT treatment group,whereas cyp19a1a and foxl2 were minimally expressed in the fish gonads.

ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE RETINA AND LAMINA OF THE HORSEFLY Tabanus manaarinus

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTIONStudies on the neurosuperpositional compound eyes of the Dipterans, especially on those of the housefly, have been increasingly useful in optics, behavioral science, neurophysiology and biocybernetics. No report on the structure of the compound eye in the horsefly Tabanus mandarinus is found yet. Recently we presented a note on the relation between the lightguide pattern of the rhabdomeres in the horsefly and light adaptation. It shows that the compound eye of the horsefly belongs

Hormonal control of seasonal color change in female spiny-footed lizards:an observational and experimental approach

Breeding coloration of females often signals aspects of their reproductive status,suggesting a link between color and sex steroid hormones.In this study,we examined the relationships between 2 sex steroid hormones(progesterone and p-estradiol)and reproductive coloration in female spinyfooted lizards Acanthodactylus erythrurus.We first explored natural variation in female plasma hormone levels and coloration during their reproductive cycle,p-estradiol was negatively related to brightness and positively related to red saturation,whereas progesterone was not significantly related to coloration.After identifying key relationships,plasma hormone concentrations were manipulated by creating 3 experimental female groups(p-estradiol-treated,progesterone-treated,and control),and the effects on coloration were monitored,p-estradiol-treated females,in which there was a rise in both p-estradiol and progesterone levels,lost their red coloration earlier than females in the other 2 experimental groups,whereas progesterone treatment had no significant effect on female coloration.Our results suggest that high levels of either p-estradiol alone or(3-estradiol together with progesterone trigger the loss of red coloration in female spiny-footed lizards,and that progesterone alone does not affect coloration.We hypothesize that changes in female breeding color might be regulated by(3-estradiol in species in which conspicuous coloration is displayed before ovulation,and by progesterone in species in which this color is displayed during gravidity.