The localization of nitric oxide synthases （NOS） is dealed with in the developing gonads of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. It was found by NADPH-diaphorase staining that （1） NOS activity was presen...The localization of nitric oxide synthases （NOS） is dealed with in the developing gonads of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. It was found by NADPH-diaphorase staining that （1） NOS activity was present in the nuclear membranes of germinal vesicles during the entire period ofoocyte development; （2） NOS was localized in both the nuclear membranes and the perinuclear region of cytoplasm in the vitellogenetic oocytes; （3） NOS was relocated in the cortical layer in the mature egg; （4） NOS activity was present in spermatocytes, but not in the spermatogonia in the middle of October; （5） NOS was detected in both spermatozoa and spermatids as well as spermatocytes during the breeding season. This is the first report on the distribution pattern of NOS in the developing gonads in protochordates. These results suggest a role for NOS in the functioning of the nuclear membranes and yolk synthesis during oogenesis and in cell division and differentiation during spermatogenesis.展开更多
Russian sturgeon (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Acipenser gueldenstaedtii</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i></spa...Russian sturgeon (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Acipenser gueldenstaedtii</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) is a primitive freshwater fish and a source of black caviar.</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The genes involved in sexual determination and differentiation are still unknown and there are no molecular markers for sex identification in this species. Studying the variation of the sex-based differences in genomic sequences and in gene expression in the sturgeon may lead to markers of sex in early stages of development and advances in aquaculture, as well as provide novel insights about the evolution of reproduction, sex determination, and sexual differentiation mechanisms in vertebrates. Previous studies by our and other groups have identified differentially expressed genes in the gonads of adult female and male sturgeon. The current study aimed to test whether these ge</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nes were also differentially expressed in non-gonadal tissue, namely fins. We measured by qRT-PCR the mRNA levels of 29 known and novel sex-related genes in the gonads and fins of males (4 years old) and females (7 years old;sexual maturation is earlier in males than in females). Six genes (ATP6, IGFRM, LIA1A, S1A, NPL1A, GAPDH and SOX9) showed higher expression in female fin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s. However, only ATP6 mRNA levels differed in fins of males and females of the same age (4 years old). These findings underscore the impracticality of sex identification based on gene expression in non-gonadal</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> tissue and the need for genetic sex markers in the Russian sturgeon.展开更多
Elk (Elaphurus davidianus) is a rare species native to China, and much less efforts have been dedicated to gonadal histology of male elk.The microscopic morphology of gonadal tissue of elk was observed by paraffin met...Elk (Elaphurus davidianus) is a rare species native to China, and much less efforts have been dedicated to gonadal histology of male elk.The microscopic morphology of gonadal tissue of elk was observed by paraffin method. The results showed that the tunica albuginea testis was com-posed of collagenous fibers and elastic fibers, with the thickness of about 1 054 μm, and a large number of blood vessels were distributed in tunica albuginea;the seminiferous tubule was about 203 μm in diameter, with uneven thickness of tubule wall, which was consisted of sustentacular cells and spermatogenic cells;there were interstitial cells and blood vessels between seminiferous tubules. The epididymis contained more than 20 effer-ent ducts and a long curly epididymal duct;the capsule thickness at epididymis head was about 53 μm, and that at epididymis body and tail was400-1 000 μm;the epithelium of efferent duct was pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells;the wall epithelium of epididymal duct was composed of tall columnar cells at proximal lumina and stroma cells at distal lumina;the epithelial basement membrane of efferent duct and epididymal duct contained circular smooth muscle. The wall of spermatic duct was divided into mucosae, tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia. The tunica muscu-laris was well developed, which was smooth muscle fiber.展开更多
Background and Aims: Mesocentrotus nudus is commercially harvested from shallow rocky bottoms in northern Japan. The gonads are targeted as an edible product. The objective of this study was to identify odor-active vo...Background and Aims: Mesocentrotus nudus is commercially harvested from shallow rocky bottoms in northern Japan. The gonads are targeted as an edible product. The objective of this study was to identify odor-active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the gonads of adult M. nudus collected at a fishing ground in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan. Methods and Results: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and gas chromatography-sniffing techniques identified 42 compounds categorized as alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, halomethanes, hydrocarbons, ketones, sulfur-containing compounds, and nitrogen-containing compounds. GC-sniffing analysis characterized four compounds with preferable odors of sea urchin gonads;limonene, propyl acetate, acetone, dibromochloromethane. On the other hand, the analysis characterized three compounds with unpreferable odors;methyl mercaptane, dimethyl sulfide, and s-methyl thioacetate. Several VOCs from the gonads were derived from seaweeds, terrestrial plants, and fish flesh as food because M. nudus is omnivorous. Conclusion: This is the first study to identify VOCs from edible sea urchin gonads in the wild in Japan. These VOC data comprise a typical standard in order to evaluate a higher quality of sea urchin gonads.展开更多
The gonadal histopathology, and its correlation with the clinical features has been investigated in 9 true hermaphroditism patients, aged 5-21 yr. Seven of 9 patients had been raised as females, of which the chromosom...The gonadal histopathology, and its correlation with the clinical features has been investigated in 9 true hermaphroditism patients, aged 5-21 yr. Seven of 9 patients had been raised as females, of which the chromosomal karyotype was 46XX in 5 cases, 46XX/46XY and 46XX/47XXY in 2 cases. Two of 9 pa- tients were raised as males, the chromosomal karyotypes being 46XX and 46XX/46XY. All 9 patients had testicular tissue excised, and biopsies of the conserved ovarian tissue were performed. Ovotestis was the most common form of the abnormal gonads; two of 9 patients had bilateral ovotestes, seven had unilateral ovotestes (5 in right side, 2 in left side). In seven patients with a unilateral ovotestis, 6 had a contralateral ovary and one had a contralateral testis. Microscopically, the ovarian tissue of 11 ovotestes, including 6 biopsies from contealateral ovaris, were normal, with many primordal follicles and a few growing follicles. In two of the patients, aged over 15 years, evidence of ovulation was observed. In comparison, the testicu- lar tissue of the ovotestis and the one left inguinal testis was histologically abnormal, with immature semi- niferous tubules, most of which filled with Sertoli cells only. Three of 9 patients married after surgical treatment. Two of these subsequently conceived and delivered of normal infants by cesarean section.展开更多
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 mecha...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.展开更多
The sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina has northern expanded in geographic range to Toga Bay,Oga Peninsula in the Sea of Japan due to the global warming.To demonstrate the gonad traits and age structure of H.crassisp...The sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina has northern expanded in geographic range to Toga Bay,Oga Peninsula in the Sea of Japan due to the global warming.To demonstrate the gonad traits and age structure of H.crassispina in the central range and compare the difference with those in northern extended range,we collected 100 H.crassispina individuals from a barren off Shitsumi,Fukui(central range),in August 2018.Their growth,gonad traits(size,development and color),and sex ratio were investigated and compared with those in Toga Bay,in August 2014(extended range).The successive 2012–2016 year classes of H.crassispina indicated successive juvenile recruitment in the central range,as found in the extended range.The individuals at three years old in central range were obviously larger than those in the extended range,showing large test diameter and body weight,possibly due to the higher temperature in central range than that in northern extended range.In addition,a balanced sex ratio in the central range was found,in contrast to the female-skewed sex ratio found in the extended range.Gonadal development was sex-and site-dependent.The testicular development in the central range was not only delayed in comparison to ovarian development,but also less delayed than those in the extended range,which possibly attribute to the higher water temperature in the central range.A significantly lower male gonad index and L*(lightness)value was recorded in central ranges compared to that in extended range,possibly due to the releasement of sperm of H.crassispina in central ranges.展开更多
DEAR EDITOR,Sex differentiation is a complex process that requires many factors to regulate gonadal proliferation, differentiation,development, and organization. In teleosts, the molecular mechanisms of sex differenti...DEAR EDITOR,Sex differentiation is a complex process that requires many factors to regulate gonadal proliferation, differentiation,development, and organization. In teleosts, the molecular mechanisms of sex differentiation are diverse and unclear.展开更多
This study was designed to investigate the expression of aminopeptidase N （APN）/CD13 on intraembryonic AGM stromal cells, and the change of its enzymatic activity after irradiation injury. The expression of APN/CD13...This study was designed to investigate the expression of aminopeptidase N （APN）/CD13 on intraembryonic AGM stromal cells, and the change of its enzymatic activity after irradiation injury. The expression of APN/CD13 on AGM stromal cells was assayed by RT-PCR and immunihistochemistry. After the stromal cells in AGM region were irradiated with 8.0 Gy of ^60Co T-rays, APN/CD13 enzymatic activity was measured by spectrophotometer at different time points. The result showed that AGM stromal cells strongly expressed APN/CD13. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 decreased temporarily after irradiation injury, then increased to higher level 4 h after irradiation, and it returned to the pre-irradiation level 24 to 48 h after the irradiation. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 was temporarily enhanced after irradiation injury, which might be one of the compensatory mechanisms that promote the hematopoietic recovery after irradiation.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No.30470203.
文摘The localization of nitric oxide synthases （NOS） is dealed with in the developing gonads of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. It was found by NADPH-diaphorase staining that （1） NOS activity was present in the nuclear membranes of germinal vesicles during the entire period ofoocyte development; （2） NOS was localized in both the nuclear membranes and the perinuclear region of cytoplasm in the vitellogenetic oocytes; （3） NOS was relocated in the cortical layer in the mature egg; （4） NOS activity was present in spermatocytes, but not in the spermatogonia in the middle of October; （5） NOS was detected in both spermatozoa and spermatids as well as spermatocytes during the breeding season. This is the first report on the distribution pattern of NOS in the developing gonads in protochordates. These results suggest a role for NOS in the functioning of the nuclear membranes and yolk synthesis during oogenesis and in cell division and differentiation during spermatogenesis.
文摘Russian sturgeon (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Acipenser gueldenstaedtii</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) is a primitive freshwater fish and a source of black caviar.</span></span><span style="font-family:""> </span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The genes involved in sexual determination and differentiation are still unknown and there are no molecular markers for sex identification in this species. Studying the variation of the sex-based differences in genomic sequences and in gene expression in the sturgeon may lead to markers of sex in early stages of development and advances in aquaculture, as well as provide novel insights about the evolution of reproduction, sex determination, and sexual differentiation mechanisms in vertebrates. Previous studies by our and other groups have identified differentially expressed genes in the gonads of adult female and male sturgeon. The current study aimed to test whether these ge</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">nes were also differentially expressed in non-gonadal tissue, namely fins. We measured by qRT-PCR the mRNA levels of 29 known and novel sex-related genes in the gonads and fins of males (4 years old) and females (7 years old;sexual maturation is earlier in males than in females). Six genes (ATP6, IGFRM, LIA1A, S1A, NPL1A, GAPDH and SOX9) showed higher expression in female fin</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">s. However, only ATP6 mRNA levels differed in fins of males and females of the same age (4 years old). These findings underscore the impracticality of sex identification based on gene expression in non-gonadal</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> tissue and the need for genetic sex markers in the Russian sturgeon.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Research Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education(B2018522)
文摘Elk (Elaphurus davidianus) is a rare species native to China, and much less efforts have been dedicated to gonadal histology of male elk.The microscopic morphology of gonadal tissue of elk was observed by paraffin method. The results showed that the tunica albuginea testis was com-posed of collagenous fibers and elastic fibers, with the thickness of about 1 054 μm, and a large number of blood vessels were distributed in tunica albuginea;the seminiferous tubule was about 203 μm in diameter, with uneven thickness of tubule wall, which was consisted of sustentacular cells and spermatogenic cells;there were interstitial cells and blood vessels between seminiferous tubules. The epididymis contained more than 20 effer-ent ducts and a long curly epididymal duct;the capsule thickness at epididymis head was about 53 μm, and that at epididymis body and tail was400-1 000 μm;the epithelium of efferent duct was pseudostratified columnar epithelial cells;the wall epithelium of epididymal duct was composed of tall columnar cells at proximal lumina and stroma cells at distal lumina;the epithelial basement membrane of efferent duct and epididymal duct contained circular smooth muscle. The wall of spermatic duct was divided into mucosae, tunica muscularis and tunica adventitia. The tunica muscu-laris was well developed, which was smooth muscle fiber.
文摘Background and Aims: Mesocentrotus nudus is commercially harvested from shallow rocky bottoms in northern Japan. The gonads are targeted as an edible product. The objective of this study was to identify odor-active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the gonads of adult M. nudus collected at a fishing ground in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan. Methods and Results: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and gas chromatography-sniffing techniques identified 42 compounds categorized as alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, halomethanes, hydrocarbons, ketones, sulfur-containing compounds, and nitrogen-containing compounds. GC-sniffing analysis characterized four compounds with preferable odors of sea urchin gonads;limonene, propyl acetate, acetone, dibromochloromethane. On the other hand, the analysis characterized three compounds with unpreferable odors;methyl mercaptane, dimethyl sulfide, and s-methyl thioacetate. Several VOCs from the gonads were derived from seaweeds, terrestrial plants, and fish flesh as food because M. nudus is omnivorous. Conclusion: This is the first study to identify VOCs from edible sea urchin gonads in the wild in Japan. These VOC data comprise a typical standard in order to evaluate a higher quality of sea urchin gonads.
文摘The gonadal histopathology, and its correlation with the clinical features has been investigated in 9 true hermaphroditism patients, aged 5-21 yr. Seven of 9 patients had been raised as females, of which the chromosomal karyotype was 46XX in 5 cases, 46XX/46XY and 46XX/47XXY in 2 cases. Two of 9 pa- tients were raised as males, the chromosomal karyotypes being 46XX and 46XX/46XY. All 9 patients had testicular tissue excised, and biopsies of the conserved ovarian tissue were performed. Ovotestis was the most common form of the abnormal gonads; two of 9 patients had bilateral ovotestes, seven had unilateral ovotestes (5 in right side, 2 in left side). In seven patients with a unilateral ovotestis, 6 had a contralateral ovary and one had a contralateral testis. Microscopically, the ovarian tissue of 11 ovotestes, including 6 biopsies from contealateral ovaris, were normal, with many primordal follicles and a few growing follicles. In two of the patients, aged over 15 years, evidence of ovulation was observed. In comparison, the testicu- lar tissue of the ovotestis and the one left inguinal testis was histologically abnormal, with immature semi- niferous tubules, most of which filled with Sertoli cells only. Three of 9 patients married after surgical treatment. Two of these subsequently conceived and delivered of normal infants by cesarean section.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31722058,31802275,and 31472269)National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFD0900301)+6 种基金AoShan Talents Cultivation Program Supported by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology(2017ASTCP-ES06)Taishan Scholar Project Fund of Shandong of China to C.W.S.National Ten-Thousands Talents Special Support Program to C.W.S.Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund,CAFS(2020TD19)Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund,YSFRI,CAFS(20603022021018)China Agriculture Research System(CARS-47-G03)Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals,Guangdong Ocean University(KFKT2019ZD03)。
文摘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.
基金Supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology,“Pioneer”and“Leading Goose”R&D Program of Zhejiang (No.2022C02040)the Science and Technology Bureau of Zhoushan (No.2022C41021)。
文摘The sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina has northern expanded in geographic range to Toga Bay,Oga Peninsula in the Sea of Japan due to the global warming.To demonstrate the gonad traits and age structure of H.crassispina in the central range and compare the difference with those in northern extended range,we collected 100 H.crassispina individuals from a barren off Shitsumi,Fukui(central range),in August 2018.Their growth,gonad traits(size,development and color),and sex ratio were investigated and compared with those in Toga Bay,in August 2014(extended range).The successive 2012–2016 year classes of H.crassispina indicated successive juvenile recruitment in the central range,as found in the extended range.The individuals at three years old in central range were obviously larger than those in the extended range,showing large test diameter and body weight,possibly due to the higher temperature in central range than that in northern extended range.In addition,a balanced sex ratio in the central range was found,in contrast to the female-skewed sex ratio found in the extended range.Gonadal development was sex-and site-dependent.The testicular development in the central range was not only delayed in comparison to ovarian development,but also less delayed than those in the extended range,which possibly attribute to the higher water temperature in the central range.A significantly lower male gonad index and L*(lightness)value was recorded in central ranges compared to that in extended range,possibly due to the releasement of sperm of H.crassispina in central ranges.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program (2018YFD0900203)National Natural Science Foundation of China (32273132, 32202928)+4 种基金China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA (CARS-47)Project of Hainan Academician Team Innovation Center (YSPTZX202122)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesSun Yat-sen University (22qntd2614)Science and Technology Program of Guangdong Provincial(2020A1515011477)。
文摘DEAR EDITOR,Sex differentiation is a complex process that requires many factors to regulate gonadal proliferation, differentiation,development, and organization. In teleosts, the molecular mechanisms of sex differentiation are diverse and unclear.
基金This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30570773 )
文摘This study was designed to investigate the expression of aminopeptidase N （APN）/CD13 on intraembryonic AGM stromal cells, and the change of its enzymatic activity after irradiation injury. The expression of APN/CD13 on AGM stromal cells was assayed by RT-PCR and immunihistochemistry. After the stromal cells in AGM region were irradiated with 8.0 Gy of ^60Co T-rays, APN/CD13 enzymatic activity was measured by spectrophotometer at different time points. The result showed that AGM stromal cells strongly expressed APN/CD13. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 decreased temporarily after irradiation injury, then increased to higher level 4 h after irradiation, and it returned to the pre-irradiation level 24 to 48 h after the irradiation. The enzymatic activity of APN/CD13 was temporarily enhanced after irradiation injury, which might be one of the compensatory mechanisms that promote the hematopoietic recovery after irradiation.
