Gynandromorphs,rare in vertebrates,exhibit distinct sex-determining gene expression on each side of the body despite sharing a uniform hormonal environment.This provides a unique opportunity to investigate the respect...Gynandromorphs,rare in vertebrates,exhibit distinct sex-determining gene expression on each side of the body despite sharing a uniform hormonal environment.This provides a unique opportunity to investigate the respective roles of genes and hormones in sex determination.We accidently obtained a gynandromorphic Zebra Finch with a male-female chimeric appearance but only with an ovary-like gonad.Its plasma estradiol was significantly higher than that of age-matched females,and its sexual partner preference was also feminine.Although it did not sing like males,its calls showed masculinization.In the brain on one side of the body with male plumage,the area of song motor nucleus,the robust nucleus of the arcopallium(RA),and the excitatory synaptic transmission of RA projection neurons showed masculinization.Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes related to cholinergic neuron function were significantly upregulated in the masculinized side of brain.Moreover,there were extensive and consistent expression differences of neuroactive substance receptor genes in both sides of body,indicating that cell-autonomous determination plays a key role in sex dimorphism of neuromodulation.展开更多
Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in evaluating the translational value of preclinical spinal cord injury(SCI)studies.The rising incidence of SCI in females challenges the historical preced...Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in evaluating the translational value of preclinical spinal cord injury(SCI)studies.The rising incidence of SCI in females challenges the historical precedent of SCI being a male-dominated condition.In contrast,most basic science researchers utilize single-sex studies to minimize complications associated with bladder care in males(Stewart et al.,2020).The findings of our recent publication identify sexually dimorphic immune responses to SCI in both mice and pigs(Kumari et al.,2025).Here,we will highlight these findings and discuss the impact of sex on SCI inflammation and recovery.展开更多
As a gene required for sexual development,intersex(ix),functions in concert with the female-specific product of doublesex(dsx)at the end of the hierarchy to facilitate the sex-specific differentiation of sexually dimo...As a gene required for sexual development,intersex(ix),functions in concert with the female-specific product of doublesex(dsx)at the end of the hierarchy to facilitate the sex-specific differentiation of sexually dimorphic characters in female Drosophila melanogaster.In the present study,we initially identified the ix homolog in Gryllus bimaculatus,with the detection of a single isoform expressed in both sexes.Phylogenetic analyses and multiple sequence alignment revealed that Gbix exhibited conservation.Here we employed RNA interference(RNAi)and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9(Cas9),respectively,to analyze the functions of Gbix.Our findings indicated that Gbix played a crucial role in the normal development of the embryo and nymph,as well as in the regulation of wing morphogenesis in both sexes.RNAi-mediated knockdown of Gbix resulted in poorly developed ovaries,whereas testicular development was not significantly affected.Nevertheless,CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Gbix resulted in internal genital defects in both sexes,which ultimately led to a reduction in reproductive capacity in female and male individuals.Our results provide insights into the pleiotropic functions of Gbix in embryogenesis and sexual development,while also advancing our comprehension of sex determination in a hemimetabolous insect species.展开更多
The genus Actinidia is primarily functionally dioecious,and early sex identification plays a crucial role in improving breeding efficiency and reducing production costs.In this study,the accuracy of three sex-linked m...The genus Actinidia is primarily functionally dioecious,and early sex identification plays a crucial role in improving breeding efficiency and reducing production costs.In this study,the accuracy of three sex-linked molecular markers(SyGI[Shy Girl],FrBy[Friendly Boy],and SmY1)in sex identification was evaluated in various Actinidia species.The selected marker products were subsequently cloned and sequenced in six wild Actinidia species.Ninety-six wild A.chinensis chinensis accessions and 74 A.chinensis deliciosa accessions,most of which were wild,with only one cultivated,were used for comprehensive primer validation.Thirty-three juvenile A.chinensis chinensis hybrid seedlings were used for practical application tests.The results showed that the marker SyGI accurately identified the sex of 20 samples from six Actinidia species and 96 A.chinensis chinensis accessions with 100%reliability.For Actinidia chinensis deliciosa,the identification accuracy reached 98.65%.Sequence analysis revealed that SyGI shared the highest similarity with the male-specific genomic region.Furthermore,SyGI achieved 100%accuracy in identifying the sex of 33 juvenile A.chinensis chinensis individuals.The findings confirm that the SyGI marker possesses high accuracy,strong specificity,and broad applicability,making it a valuable tool for kiwifruit breeding programs.The cloned sequences from wild Actinidia species also provide important references for future research on the mechanisms of sexual evolution and determination.展开更多
Lizards usually exhibit frequent turnovers and a much greater diversity of sex determination mechanisms compared to birds and mammals,with the conserved ZW sex chromosomes of anguimorph lizards originating over 115 mi...Lizards usually exhibit frequent turnovers and a much greater diversity of sex determination mechanisms compared to birds and mammals,with the conserved ZW sex chromosomes of anguimorph lizards originating over 115 million years ago a seeming exception.We previously discovered in an anguimorph lizard Varanus acanthurus(Vac)whose entire chrW,but not chrZ is homologous to part of the chr2 by cytogenetic mapping,suggesting its complex history of sex chromosome evolution yet to be elucidated.To address this,we assemble a chromosome-level genome,and provide evidence that the Vac sex chromosome pair has undergone at least two times of recombination loss,producing a pattern of evolutionary strata like that of birds and mammals.Comparison to other lizard genomes date the stepwise propagation of specific retrotransposon subfamilies enriched near the duplicated gene pairs on the chrW and chr2 to the varanid ancestor.These retrotransposons probably have mediated the recruitment and amplification of autosomal genes on the chrW,including members of a large vomeronasal chemosensory receptor gene family V2R.Our results suggest that the W or Y chromosome as a refugium of repetitive elements,may recurrently recruit short-lived functional genes responsible for sexual dimorphisms during its long-term course of degeneration.展开更多
Higher prevalence of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease in women:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the accumulation of amyloid-β(Aβ)plaques and Tau neurofibrillary tangles in t...Higher prevalence of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease in women:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the accumulation of amyloid-β(Aβ)plaques and Tau neurofibrillary tangles in the affected brain regions.The clearance of these pathological protein aggregates by microglia can trigger excessive neuroinflammation,which contributes to brain atrophy.AD exhibits clinical heterogeneity and is characterized by highly complex,multifactorial etiology(Lopez-Lee et al.,2024).展开更多
Dear Editor,Amplexus,a reproductive behavior in which the male clasps the female dorsally,is a characteristic of amphibians(Wells,2007).Most species exhibit either inguinal or axillary amplexus,although some reproduce...Dear Editor,Amplexus,a reproductive behavior in which the male clasps the female dorsally,is a characteristic of amphibians(Wells,2007).Most species exhibit either inguinal or axillary amplexus,although some reproduce without it(Wells,2007).While male-female amplexus is predominant,other forms such as male-male and multiple-male amplexus have also been documented(Soni et al.,2025).Release calls are typically produced by amplexed males to signal mating mismatches and mitigate the costs of inappropriate clasping(Kelehear and Shine,2019).Female-female amplexus,however,is rare and considered maladaptive,as it does not lead to fertilization(Chuang et al.,2019).展开更多
Disorders of sex development often arise from anomalies in the molecular or cellular networks that guide the differentiation of the embryonic gonad into either a testis or an ovary, two functionally distinct organs. T...Disorders of sex development often arise from anomalies in the molecular or cellular networks that guide the differentiation of the embryonic gonad into either a testis or an ovary, two functionally distinct organs. The activation of the Y-linked gene Sry （sex- determining region Y） and its downstream target Sox9 （Sry box-containing gene 9） triggers testis differentiation by stimulating the differentiation of Sertoli cells, which then direct testis morphogenesis. Once engaged, a genetic pathway promotes the testis development while actively suppressing genes involved in ovarian development. This review focuses on the events of testis determination and the struggle to maintain male fate in the face of antagonistic pressure from the underlying female programme.展开更多
This study was conducted retrospectively on a cohort of 68 patients with steroid 5α-reductase 2(SRD5A2)deficiency and 46,XY disorders of sex development(DSD).Whole-exon sequencing revealed 28 variants of SRD5A2,and f...This study was conducted retrospectively on a cohort of 68 patients with steroid 5α-reductase 2(SRD5A2)deficiency and 46,XY disorders of sex development(DSD).Whole-exon sequencing revealed 28 variants of SRD5A2,and further analysis identified seven novel mutants.The preponderance of variants was observed in exon 1 and exon 4,specifically within the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-binding region.Among the entire cohort,53 patients underwent initial surgery at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital(Chengdu,China).The external genitalia scores(EGS)of these participants varied from 2.0 to 11.0,with a mean of 6.8(standard deviation[s.d.]:2.5).Thirty patients consented to hormone testing.Their average testosterone-todihydrotestosterone(T/DHT)ratio was 49.3(s.d.:23.4).Genetic testing identified four patients with EGS scores between 6 and 9 as having this syndrome;and their T/DHT ratios were below the diagnostic threshold.Furthermore,assessments conducted using the crystal structure of human SRD5A2 have provided insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms of these novel variants.These mechanisms include interference with NADPH binding(c.356G>C,c.365A>G,c.492C>G,and c.662T>G)and destabilization of the protein structure(c.727C>T).The c.446-1G>T and c.380delG variants were verified to result in large alterations in the transcripts.Seven novel variations were identified,and the variant database for the SRD5A2 gene was expanded.These findings contribute to the progress of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for individuals with SRD5A2 deficiency.展开更多
Successful non-native species can exhibit rapid divergence of key phenotypic traits to facilitate population persistence and further range expansion.Such phenotypic shifts can be sex-dependent as males and females usu...Successful non-native species can exhibit rapid divergence of key phenotypic traits to facilitate population persistence and further range expansion.Such phenotypic shifts can be sex-dependent as males and females usually have distinct reproductive and dispersal modes responding to relevant selective forces.Here,we showed significant phenotypic divergence in a set of fitness-related traits among males but not among females in the introduced oriental fire-bellied toads(Bombina orientalis),which established a non-native population in Beijing after being introduced in 1927.Specifically,compared with the native counterparts,introduced males displayed younger age and reduced body size,but increased hindlimb length and eye size after controlling the age effect.As the toads have male-biased sex ratio and male-biased dispersal during breeding season,the observed shifts may suggest that the male-biased selective forces have induced increased energy allocation to dispersal and foraging,and thus decreased allocation to maintain longevity in males.Overall,our study provides evidence for the modification of fitness-related phenotypic traits in a non-native anuran population compared with native populations and extends our understanding of key trait divergence in established non-native amphibian under sexual-unbalanced selective forces.展开更多
This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of peer education in adolescent sexual health education.A scoping search was conducted in the databases of PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane Library,SinoMed,CNKI,Wanfa...This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of peer education in adolescent sexual health education.A scoping search was conducted in the databases of PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane Library,SinoMed,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP databases to retrieve relevant literature published from the establishment of the database to January 2025 on sexual health education for adolescents in the form of peer education.A total of 11 literatures were finally included.The findings revealed that Peer education was mainly conducted in participatory forms such as role-playing,group discussion,and brainstorming,with a wide range of interventions.Peer education can enhance adolescents’level of sexual knowledge,sex-related self-efficacy and risk perception,improve sexual attitudes and sexual behavioral intentions,as well as reduce risky sexual behavior.In conclusion,Peer education has a positive impact on adolescents’sexual health and can be an effective way of adolescent sexual health education.展开更多
Objective:To assess public knowledge,attitudes,and behaviours regarding same-sex sexual intercourse(SSI)in relation to HIV/AIDS transmission prevention,especially in an inclusive cultural and religious country like In...Objective:To assess public knowledge,attitudes,and behaviours regarding same-sex sexual intercourse(SSI)in relation to HIV/AIDS transmission prevention,especially in an inclusive cultural and religious country like Indonesia,beyond established prevention methods like safe sex practices and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP).Methods:We collected cross-sectional online survey data from the Indonesian 18 years or older population in December 2021 and August 2022.We determined participants'knowledge,attitude,and behaviour scores toward SSI and HIV/AIDS prevention.We critically explored each score and used multiple linear regression to identify the predictive factors.Results:The survey included 386 adults[median age(IQR):22(20-35)years].The median(IQR)score was 90/100(80-100)for knowledge,43/50(39-46)for attitude and 70/70(70-70)for behaviour.The number of men who had sex with men(MSM)was 7/129(5.4%).Male sex,non-MSM,higher knowledge,and higher attitude scores were positively associated with higher behaviour scores(P<0.001).Conclusions:This study highlights the need for inclusive HIV/AIDS prevention strategies that respect cultural and religious values,reduce stigma,and improve healthcare access,while aligning with international guidelines and scientific evidence.展开更多
17β-Trenbolone(17-TB)is well documented as an environmental endocrine disruptor in aquatic biological studies,but its effects on mammals remain poorly understood.Furthermore,17-TB acts as a hormone with properties si...17β-Trenbolone(17-TB)is well documented as an environmental endocrine disruptor in aquatic biological studies,but its effects on mammals remain poorly understood.Furthermore,17-TB acts as a hormone with properties similar to testosterone,and the consequences of juvenile exposure on adult social behavior remain uncertain.Bisphenol A(BPA)acts as an estrogen-like hormone,compared to 17-TB.Three-week-old male Balb/c mice were exposed orally to 17-TB(100μg/(kg·day))and BPA(4 mg/(kg·day))for 28 days.Assessments of social interactions and a three-chamber test showed that 17-TB increased virility in male mice,intensified both male and female sexual behavior,and attracted and accepted female mice.It also increased social dominance through tube tests inmalemice and markedly activated the c-Fos^(+)immune response in themedial prefrontal cortex(mPFC)and basal amygdala(BLA).ELISA data showed that 17-TB and BPA exposure significantly affected serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH),growth hormone(GH),estradiol(E2),and luteinizing hormone(LH)levels,as well as testicular lesions and androgen receptor(ARβ)and estrogen receptor(ERα)synthesis.Testicular transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that could disrupt steroid synthesis and linoleic acid-related biometabolic processes.These findings suggest the influence of 17-TB and BPA exposure on sexual behavior and fertility in male mice,possibly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.This study provides insights relevant to human reproductive health and neuro-social behavioral research,and the potential risk of environmental disturbances should not be overlooked.展开更多
Fisher's theory predicts equal sex ratios at the end of parental care if the cost associated with raising offspring of each sex is equal.However,sex ratios have important evolutionary consequences and are often bi...Fisher's theory predicts equal sex ratios at the end of parental care if the cost associated with raising offspring of each sex is equal.However,sex ratios have important evolutionary consequences and are often biased for many factors.Reported sex ratios are often biased in raptors,which display various degrees of reversed sexual dimorphism,but there seems no consistent pattern in their offspring sex ratios.In this study,we investigated the offspring sex ratio of the Eurasian Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus) and tested whether the patterns of biased sex ratios were related to laying order,egg mass,hatching order,laying date or clutch size.The brood sex ratio of the Eurasian Kestrel(male) in eggs was 47.0%,not statistically biased from 0.5,but in fledglings it was 40.8%,significantly biased from 0.5(p = 0.029).At population level,both primary and secondary sex ratios did not depart from parity.We found that clutch size and egg mass affected the secondary brood sex ratio,i.e.,the larger the clutch size,the larger the number of males and eggs producing sons were heavier than eggs producing daughters.Laying date affected both the primary and secondary sex ratios,and laying earlier is associated with a greater proportion of males.展开更多
Sex emerges out of a delicate dance between a variety of promale, anti-male, and possibly profemale genes. To investigate the role that sex-related genes play in sex determination and gonadal differentiation of fowl, ...Sex emerges out of a delicate dance between a variety of promale, anti-male, and possibly profemale genes. To investigate the role that sex-related genes play in sex determination and gonadal differentiation of fowl, we constructed a male-to- female sex-reversal model of chick induced by diethylstilbestrol （DES） at onset of incubation （E0）. The results of semi- quantitative PCR showed that the expression of Sf1, the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 gene, was put forward from E7d to E5d and up-regulated during E5-7d; the Dmrt1, the double sex and the Mab-3 related to transcription factor 1 gene, was down-regulated during E3-7d. Meanwhile, anti-Müllerian hormone gene （Amh） expressed at a similar level in the genetic females and sex-reversal females before E7d, while no expression products of the three female-specific genes Wpkci, Fet1 and Foxl2 were detected in male-to-female embryos. These findings suggest that the expression of some certain sex-related genes, induced by the exogenous estrogen during period of sex determination and gonadal differentiation, results in the male-to-female sex reversal. Moreover, high activity of Sf1 gene during E5-7d might be related to the profemale process, while low activity of Dmrt1 gene during E3-5d might be anti-male. The expression activity of Amh gene might only contribute to the promale process after E7d, however, it is possibly not an anti-female gene in chick embryos.展开更多
Objective Magnetoencephalography(MEG),a non-invasive neuroimaging technique,meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity.Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interfe...Objective Magnetoencephalography(MEG),a non-invasive neuroimaging technique,meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity.Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices(SQUID),MEG based on optically pump magnetometer(OPM)has the advantages of higher sensitivity,better spatial resolution and lower cost.However,most of the current studies are clinical studies,and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology.Pain,a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon,induces intricate alterations in brain activity,exhibiting notable sex differences.Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG,specific properties remain elusive,and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain(induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant(CFA))on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique,to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception,and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling.Methods This study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA(100μl,50%in saline)in the left hind paw,with control groups receiving saline.Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection.For MEG recording,anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield,undergoing two 15-minute sessions:a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase.Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms,generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range.Results MEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared,before and after saline/CFA injections.Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre-and post-saline/CFA injections.Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states.Remarkably,female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states.Furthermore,despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment,female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection.Conclusion These results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts.Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection,highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state.Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals.In addition,the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.展开更多
Sex-determining systems show a striking diversity not only among species, but also among popula tions. In reptiles, sex-determina tion is a continuum, from tempera ture-dependent sex determination(TSD) to genetic sex ...Sex-determining systems show a striking diversity not only among species, but also among popula tions. In reptiles, sex-determina tion is a continuum, from tempera ture-dependent sex determination(TSD) to genetic sex determination(GSD).The multi-ocellated racerunner(Eremias multiocellata)is reported to be a cryptic ZZ/ZW chromosomal TSD species, with male-biased sex ratios at high temperatures in two Gansu populations. However, the generality of the sex-determining pattern in different populations of this species remains unclear. To investigate the mode of sex determina tion in a popula tion of E.multiocellata from the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia,we first identified sex chromosomes via comparative genomic hybridization(CGH). We then conducted a thermal manipulation experiment to determine the effect of gestation temperature on offspring sex ratios.From the CGH studies we found that lizards from the Inner Mongolia population possessed ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes. However, our thermal manipulation experiment showed that gestation temperature did not affect the sex ratio of neonates in this population. In combination, these results rule out TSD in the Inner Mongolia population of E. multiocellata, and suggest that there is widespread geographic variation in the sexdetermining system of this species.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32160123 and 32170974)Jiangxi Provincial Key Project of Natural Science Foundation(20212ACB205002)Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Functional Molecules(2024SSY05141)。
文摘Gynandromorphs,rare in vertebrates,exhibit distinct sex-determining gene expression on each side of the body despite sharing a uniform hormonal environment.This provides a unique opportunity to investigate the respective roles of genes and hormones in sex determination.We accidently obtained a gynandromorphic Zebra Finch with a male-female chimeric appearance but only with an ovary-like gonad.Its plasma estradiol was significantly higher than that of age-matched females,and its sexual partner preference was also feminine.Although it did not sing like males,its calls showed masculinization.In the brain on one side of the body with male plumage,the area of song motor nucleus,the robust nucleus of the arcopallium(RA),and the excitatory synaptic transmission of RA projection neurons showed masculinization.Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes related to cholinergic neuron function were significantly upregulated in the masculinized side of brain.Moreover,there were extensive and consistent expression differences of neuroactive substance receptor genes in both sides of body,indicating that cell-autonomous determination plays a key role in sex dimorphism of neuromodulation.
基金supported by University of Kentucky-SCoBIRC Endowed Chair#5Craig H.Neilsen 1173493 and NIH RF1NS135504(to JCG).
文摘Biological sex is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in evaluating the translational value of preclinical spinal cord injury(SCI)studies.The rising incidence of SCI in females challenges the historical precedent of SCI being a male-dominated condition.In contrast,most basic science researchers utilize single-sex studies to minimize complications associated with bladder care in males(Stewart et al.,2020).The findings of our recent publication identify sexually dimorphic immune responses to SCI in both mice and pigs(Kumari et al.,2025).Here,we will highlight these findings and discuss the impact of sex on SCI inflammation and recovery.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31801997).
文摘As a gene required for sexual development,intersex(ix),functions in concert with the female-specific product of doublesex(dsx)at the end of the hierarchy to facilitate the sex-specific differentiation of sexually dimorphic characters in female Drosophila melanogaster.In the present study,we initially identified the ix homolog in Gryllus bimaculatus,with the detection of a single isoform expressed in both sexes.Phylogenetic analyses and multiple sequence alignment revealed that Gbix exhibited conservation.Here we employed RNA interference(RNAi)and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9(Cas9),respectively,to analyze the functions of Gbix.Our findings indicated that Gbix played a crucial role in the normal development of the embryo and nymph,as well as in the regulation of wing morphogenesis in both sexes.RNAi-mediated knockdown of Gbix resulted in poorly developed ovaries,whereas testicular development was not significantly affected.Nevertheless,CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Gbix resulted in internal genital defects in both sexes,which ultimately led to a reduction in reproductive capacity in female and male individuals.Our results provide insights into the pleiotropic functions of Gbix in embryogenesis and sexual development,while also advancing our comprehension of sex determination in a hemimetabolous insect species.
基金funded by Sichuan Science and Technology Program,grant numbers 2021YFYZ0010,2023YFH0006,2025YFHZ0295The Basic Research Program of Sichuan Provincial Research Institutes,grant numbers 2024JDKY0001 and 2023JDKY0001.
文摘The genus Actinidia is primarily functionally dioecious,and early sex identification plays a crucial role in improving breeding efficiency and reducing production costs.In this study,the accuracy of three sex-linked molecular markers(SyGI[Shy Girl],FrBy[Friendly Boy],and SmY1)in sex identification was evaluated in various Actinidia species.The selected marker products were subsequently cloned and sequenced in six wild Actinidia species.Ninety-six wild A.chinensis chinensis accessions and 74 A.chinensis deliciosa accessions,most of which were wild,with only one cultivated,were used for comprehensive primer validation.Thirty-three juvenile A.chinensis chinensis hybrid seedlings were used for practical application tests.The results showed that the marker SyGI accurately identified the sex of 20 samples from six Actinidia species and 96 A.chinensis chinensis accessions with 100%reliability.For Actinidia chinensis deliciosa,the identification accuracy reached 98.65%.Sequence analysis revealed that SyGI shared the highest similarity with the male-specific genomic region.Furthermore,SyGI achieved 100%accuracy in identifying the sex of 33 juvenile A.chinensis chinensis individuals.The findings confirm that the SyGI marker possesses high accuracy,strong specificity,and broad applicability,making it a valuable tool for kiwifruit breeding programs.The cloned sequences from wild Actinidia species also provide important references for future research on the mechanisms of sexual evolution and determination.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFA1800500,2024YFA1802500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170415)+1 种基金supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program(RTP)stipend scholarship.supported by the Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant(ARC DP200101406).
文摘Lizards usually exhibit frequent turnovers and a much greater diversity of sex determination mechanisms compared to birds and mammals,with the conserved ZW sex chromosomes of anguimorph lizards originating over 115 million years ago a seeming exception.We previously discovered in an anguimorph lizard Varanus acanthurus(Vac)whose entire chrW,but not chrZ is homologous to part of the chr2 by cytogenetic mapping,suggesting its complex history of sex chromosome evolution yet to be elucidated.To address this,we assemble a chromosome-level genome,and provide evidence that the Vac sex chromosome pair has undergone at least two times of recombination loss,producing a pattern of evolutionary strata like that of birds and mammals.Comparison to other lizard genomes date the stepwise propagation of specific retrotransposon subfamilies enriched near the duplicated gene pairs on the chrW and chr2 to the varanid ancestor.These retrotransposons probably have mediated the recruitment and amplification of autosomal genes on the chrW,including members of a large vomeronasal chemosensory receptor gene family V2R.Our results suggest that the W or Y chromosome as a refugium of repetitive elements,may recurrently recruit short-lived functional genes responsible for sexual dimorphisms during its long-term course of degeneration.
基金supported by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory core funding(3160)(to CTO).
文摘Higher prevalence of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease in women:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the accumulation of amyloid-β(Aβ)plaques and Tau neurofibrillary tangles in the affected brain regions.The clearance of these pathological protein aggregates by microglia can trigger excessive neuroinflammation,which contributes to brain atrophy.AD exhibits clinical heterogeneity and is characterized by highly complex,multifactorial etiology(Lopez-Lee et al.,2024).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32571739,32270457,31872216,and 31670392)In addition,this study received approval from the Experimental Animal Ethics and Management Committee of Anhui University(IACUC(AHU)-2024-050).
文摘Dear Editor,Amplexus,a reproductive behavior in which the male clasps the female dorsally,is a characteristic of amphibians(Wells,2007).Most species exhibit either inguinal or axillary amplexus,although some reproduce without it(Wells,2007).While male-female amplexus is predominant,other forms such as male-male and multiple-male amplexus have also been documented(Soni et al.,2025).Release calls are typically produced by amplexed males to signal mating mismatches and mitigate the costs of inappropriate clasping(Kelehear and Shine,2019).Female-female amplexus,however,is rare and considered maladaptive,as it does not lead to fertilization(Chuang et al.,2019).
文摘Disorders of sex development often arise from anomalies in the molecular or cellular networks that guide the differentiation of the embryonic gonad into either a testis or an ovary, two functionally distinct organs. The activation of the Y-linked gene Sry （sex- determining region Y） and its downstream target Sox9 （Sry box-containing gene 9） triggers testis differentiation by stimulating the differentiation of Sertoli cells, which then direct testis morphogenesis. Once engaged, a genetic pathway promotes the testis development while actively suppressing genes involved in ovarian development. This review focuses on the events of testis determination and the struggle to maintain male fate in the face of antagonistic pressure from the underlying female programme.
基金supported by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(No.2022JDZH0029 to JYY)the Special Fund for Clinical Research and Translational Medicine from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences(No.2022-I2M-C&T-B-117 to JYY)the Sichuan Key Research and Development Project from the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province(No.2022YFS0237 to YMT).
文摘This study was conducted retrospectively on a cohort of 68 patients with steroid 5α-reductase 2(SRD5A2)deficiency and 46,XY disorders of sex development(DSD).Whole-exon sequencing revealed 28 variants of SRD5A2,and further analysis identified seven novel mutants.The preponderance of variants was observed in exon 1 and exon 4,specifically within the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-binding region.Among the entire cohort,53 patients underwent initial surgery at Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital(Chengdu,China).The external genitalia scores(EGS)of these participants varied from 2.0 to 11.0,with a mean of 6.8(standard deviation[s.d.]:2.5).Thirty patients consented to hormone testing.Their average testosterone-todihydrotestosterone(T/DHT)ratio was 49.3(s.d.:23.4).Genetic testing identified four patients with EGS scores between 6 and 9 as having this syndrome;and their T/DHT ratios were below the diagnostic threshold.Furthermore,assessments conducted using the crystal structure of human SRD5A2 have provided insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms of these novel variants.These mechanisms include interference with NADPH binding(c.356G>C,c.365A>G,c.492C>G,and c.662T>G)and destabilization of the protein structure(c.727C>T).The c.446-1G>T and c.380delG variants were verified to result in large alterations in the transcripts.Seven novel variations were identified,and the variant database for the SRD5A2 gene was expanded.These findings contribute to the progress of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for individuals with SRD5A2 deficiency.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32171657,32301459)the grant from Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences (2023IOZ0104)the grant from Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Y201920)。
文摘Successful non-native species can exhibit rapid divergence of key phenotypic traits to facilitate population persistence and further range expansion.Such phenotypic shifts can be sex-dependent as males and females usually have distinct reproductive and dispersal modes responding to relevant selective forces.Here,we showed significant phenotypic divergence in a set of fitness-related traits among males but not among females in the introduced oriental fire-bellied toads(Bombina orientalis),which established a non-native population in Beijing after being introduced in 1927.Specifically,compared with the native counterparts,introduced males displayed younger age and reduced body size,but increased hindlimb length and eye size after controlling the age effect.As the toads have male-biased sex ratio and male-biased dispersal during breeding season,the observed shifts may suggest that the male-biased selective forces have induced increased energy allocation to dispersal and foraging,and thus decreased allocation to maintain longevity in males.Overall,our study provides evidence for the modification of fitness-related phenotypic traits in a non-native anuran population compared with native populations and extends our understanding of key trait divergence in established non-native amphibian under sexual-unbalanced selective forces.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation China under Grant number 72204129Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province under Grant number ZR2021QG029.
文摘This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of peer education in adolescent sexual health education.A scoping search was conducted in the databases of PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane Library,SinoMed,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP databases to retrieve relevant literature published from the establishment of the database to January 2025 on sexual health education for adolescents in the form of peer education.A total of 11 literatures were finally included.The findings revealed that Peer education was mainly conducted in participatory forms such as role-playing,group discussion,and brainstorming,with a wide range of interventions.Peer education can enhance adolescents’level of sexual knowledge,sex-related self-efficacy and risk perception,improve sexual attitudes and sexual behavioral intentions,as well as reduce risky sexual behavior.In conclusion,Peer education has a positive impact on adolescents’sexual health and can be an effective way of adolescent sexual health education.
基金funded by the Faculty of Medicine,Universitas Andalas(grant number 668/UN.16.02.D/PP/2022).
文摘Objective:To assess public knowledge,attitudes,and behaviours regarding same-sex sexual intercourse(SSI)in relation to HIV/AIDS transmission prevention,especially in an inclusive cultural and religious country like Indonesia,beyond established prevention methods like safe sex practices and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP).Methods:We collected cross-sectional online survey data from the Indonesian 18 years or older population in December 2021 and August 2022.We determined participants'knowledge,attitude,and behaviour scores toward SSI and HIV/AIDS prevention.We critically explored each score and used multiple linear regression to identify the predictive factors.Results:The survey included 386 adults[median age(IQR):22(20-35)years].The median(IQR)score was 90/100(80-100)for knowledge,43/50(39-46)for attitude and 70/70(70-70)for behaviour.The number of men who had sex with men(MSM)was 7/129(5.4%).Male sex,non-MSM,higher knowledge,and higher attitude scores were positively associated with higher behaviour scores(P<0.001).Conclusions:This study highlights the need for inclusive HIV/AIDS prevention strategies that respect cultural and religious values,reduce stigma,and improve healthcare access,while aligning with international guidelines and scientific evidence.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.62027812 and 62273186).
文摘17β-Trenbolone(17-TB)is well documented as an environmental endocrine disruptor in aquatic biological studies,but its effects on mammals remain poorly understood.Furthermore,17-TB acts as a hormone with properties similar to testosterone,and the consequences of juvenile exposure on adult social behavior remain uncertain.Bisphenol A(BPA)acts as an estrogen-like hormone,compared to 17-TB.Three-week-old male Balb/c mice were exposed orally to 17-TB(100μg/(kg·day))and BPA(4 mg/(kg·day))for 28 days.Assessments of social interactions and a three-chamber test showed that 17-TB increased virility in male mice,intensified both male and female sexual behavior,and attracted and accepted female mice.It also increased social dominance through tube tests inmalemice and markedly activated the c-Fos^(+)immune response in themedial prefrontal cortex(mPFC)and basal amygdala(BLA).ELISA data showed that 17-TB and BPA exposure significantly affected serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH),growth hormone(GH),estradiol(E2),and luteinizing hormone(LH)levels,as well as testicular lesions and androgen receptor(ARβ)and estrogen receptor(ERα)synthesis.Testicular transcriptomic analysis further confirmed that could disrupt steroid synthesis and linoleic acid-related biometabolic processes.These findings suggest the influence of 17-TB and BPA exposure on sexual behavior and fertility in male mice,possibly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.This study provides insights relevant to human reproductive health and neuro-social behavioral research,and the potential risk of environmental disturbances should not be overlooked.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30400047)the Training Fund of Northeast Normal University Scientific Innovation Project (Grant No. 07013)the Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department (Grant No. 20070558 and 20090575)
文摘Fisher's theory predicts equal sex ratios at the end of parental care if the cost associated with raising offspring of each sex is equal.However,sex ratios have important evolutionary consequences and are often biased for many factors.Reported sex ratios are often biased in raptors,which display various degrees of reversed sexual dimorphism,but there seems no consistent pattern in their offspring sex ratios.In this study,we investigated the offspring sex ratio of the Eurasian Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus) and tested whether the patterns of biased sex ratios were related to laying order,egg mass,hatching order,laying date or clutch size.The brood sex ratio of the Eurasian Kestrel(male) in eggs was 47.0%,not statistically biased from 0.5,but in fledglings it was 40.8%,significantly biased from 0.5(p = 0.029).At population level,both primary and secondary sex ratios did not depart from parity.We found that clutch size and egg mass affected the secondary brood sex ratio,i.e.,the larger the clutch size,the larger the number of males and eggs producing sons were heavier than eggs producing daughters.Laying date affected both the primary and secondary sex ratios,and laying earlier is associated with a greater proportion of males.
基金supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (2007BAD72B01)the National High Technology R&D Program of China (2011AA100306)
文摘Sex emerges out of a delicate dance between a variety of promale, anti-male, and possibly profemale genes. To investigate the role that sex-related genes play in sex determination and gonadal differentiation of fowl, we constructed a male-to- female sex-reversal model of chick induced by diethylstilbestrol （DES） at onset of incubation （E0）. The results of semi- quantitative PCR showed that the expression of Sf1, the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 gene, was put forward from E7d to E5d and up-regulated during E5-7d; the Dmrt1, the double sex and the Mab-3 related to transcription factor 1 gene, was down-regulated during E3-7d. Meanwhile, anti-Müllerian hormone gene （Amh） expressed at a similar level in the genetic females and sex-reversal females before E7d, while no expression products of the three female-specific genes Wpkci, Fet1 and Foxl2 were detected in male-to-female embryos. These findings suggest that the expression of some certain sex-related genes, induced by the exogenous estrogen during period of sex determination and gonadal differentiation, results in the male-to-female sex reversal. Moreover, high activity of Sf1 gene during E5-7d might be related to the profemale process, while low activity of Dmrt1 gene during E3-5d might be anti-male. The expression activity of Amh gene might only contribute to the promale process after E7d, however, it is possibly not an anti-female gene in chick embryos.
文摘Objective Magnetoencephalography(MEG),a non-invasive neuroimaging technique,meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity.Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices(SQUID),MEG based on optically pump magnetometer(OPM)has the advantages of higher sensitivity,better spatial resolution and lower cost.However,most of the current studies are clinical studies,and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology.Pain,a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon,induces intricate alterations in brain activity,exhibiting notable sex differences.Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG,specific properties remain elusive,and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain(induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant(CFA))on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique,to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception,and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling.Methods This study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA(100μl,50%in saline)in the left hind paw,with control groups receiving saline.Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection.For MEG recording,anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield,undergoing two 15-minute sessions:a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase.Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms,generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range.Results MEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared,before and after saline/CFA injections.Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre-and post-saline/CFA injections.Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states.Remarkably,female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states.Furthermore,despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment,female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection.Conclusion These results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts.Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection,highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state.Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals.In addition,the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.
基金supported by grants from the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB31000000)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(STEP)(2019QZKK0501)Joint Grant from Chinese Academy of Sciences-People’s Government of Qinghai Province on Sanjiangyuan National Park(LHZX-2020-01)。
文摘Sex-determining systems show a striking diversity not only among species, but also among popula tions. In reptiles, sex-determina tion is a continuum, from tempera ture-dependent sex determination(TSD) to genetic sex determination(GSD).The multi-ocellated racerunner(Eremias multiocellata)is reported to be a cryptic ZZ/ZW chromosomal TSD species, with male-biased sex ratios at high temperatures in two Gansu populations. However, the generality of the sex-determining pattern in different populations of this species remains unclear. To investigate the mode of sex determina tion in a popula tion of E.multiocellata from the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia,we first identified sex chromosomes via comparative genomic hybridization(CGH). We then conducted a thermal manipulation experiment to determine the effect of gestation temperature on offspring sex ratios.From the CGH studies we found that lizards from the Inner Mongolia population possessed ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes. However, our thermal manipulation experiment showed that gestation temperature did not affect the sex ratio of neonates in this population. In combination, these results rule out TSD in the Inner Mongolia population of E. multiocellata, and suggest that there is widespread geographic variation in the sexdetermining system of this species.
