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Wu J, Tan S, Feng Z, Zhao H, Yu C, Yang Y, Zhong B, Zheng W, Yu H, Li H. Whole-genome de novo sequencing reveals genomic variants associated with differences of sex development in SRY negative pigs. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:68. [PMID: 39223676 PMCID: PMC11367908 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00644-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or phenotypic sex is atypical. In more than 50% of human DSD cases, a molecular diagnosis is not available. In intensively farmed pig populations, the incidence of XX DSD pigs is relatively high, leading to economic losses for pig breeders. Interestingly, in the majority of 38, XX DSD pigs, gonads still develop into testis-like structures or ovotestes despite the absence of the testis-determining gene (SRY). However, the current understanding of the molecular background of XX DSD pigs remains limited. METHODS Anatomical and histological characteristics of XX DSD pigs were analysed using necropsy and HE staining. We employed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with 10× Genomics technology and used de novo assembly methodology to study normal female and XX DSD pigs. Finally, the identified variants were validated in 32 XX DSD pigs, and the expression levels of the candidate variants in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were further examined. RESULTS XX DSD pigs are characterised by the intersex reproductive organs and the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules of the gonads. We identified 4,950 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from non-synonymous mutations in XX DSD pigs. Cohort validation results highlighted two specific SNPs, "c.218T > C" in the "Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 gene (IFITM1)" and "c.1043C > G" in the "Newborn ovary homeobox gene (NOBOX)", which were found exclusively in XX DSD pigs. Moreover, we verified 14 candidate structural variants (SVs) from 1,474 SVs, identifying a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WW domain-containing oxidoreductase gene (WWOX) in 62.5% of XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three candidate genes in the gonads of XX DSD pigs were significantly different from those of normal female pigs. CONCLUSION The nucleotide changes of IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment of the WWOX were the most dominant variants among XX DSD pigs. This study provides a theoretical basis for better understanding the molecular background of XX DSD pigs. DSD are conditions affecting development of the gonads or genitalia. These disorders can happen in many different types of animals, including pigs, goats, dogs, and people. In people, DSD happens in about 0.02-0.13% of births, and in pigs, the rate is between 0.08% and 0.75%. Pigs have a common type of DSD where the animal has female chromosomes (38, XX) but no SRY gene, which is usually found on the Y chromosome in males. XX DSD pigs may look like both males and females on the outside and have testis-like or ovotestis (a mix of ovary and testis) gonads inside. XX DSD pigs often lead to not being able to have piglets, slower growth, lower chance of survival, and poorer meat quality. Here, we used a method called whole-genome de novo sequencing to look for variants in the DNA of XX DSD pigs. We then checked these differences in a larger group of pigs. Our results reveal the nucleotide changes in IFITM1 (c.218T > C), NOBOX (c.1043 C > G), and a 70 bp deletion fragment in intron 5 of the WWOX, all linked to XX DSD pigs. The expression levels of these three genes were also different in the gonads of XX DSD pigs compared to normal female pigs. These variants are expected to serve as valuable molecular markers for XX DSD pigs. Because pigs are a lot like humans in their genes, physiology, and body structure, this research could help us learn more about what causes DSD in people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Shuwen Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Haiquan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Congying Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Yin Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Bingzhou Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Wenxiao Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China
| | - Hui Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China.
| | - Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528255, P.R. China.
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Vilchis F, Mares L, Chávez B, Paredes A, Ramos L. Late-onset vanishing testis-like syndrome in a 38,XX/38,XY agonadic pig (Sus scrofa). Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:284-291. [PMID: 31679558 DOI: 10.1071/rd18514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we describe the case of a pig with intersex traits including ambiguous external genitalia, sex chromosome abnormalities and a late-onset vanishing testis-like syndrome. It was identified shortly after birth by presenting a predominantly female phenotype with two large scrotal masses resembling testes. The karyotype is 38,XX (53%)/38,XY (47%). Sex steroid levels were undetectable at 1 and 7 months old, whereas circulating cortisol levels were typical. DNA studies excluded gene alterations in sex-determining region Y (SRY), dosage-sensitive sex reversal-congenital adrenal hypoplasia critical region on the X chromosome protein 1 (DAX1), SRY-related high mobility group-box gene 9 (SOX9), nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group a, member 1 (NR5A1), nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group c, member 4 (NR3C4) and steroid 5-alpha-reductase 2 (SRD5A2). At 8 months of age the XX/XY pig evinced delayed growth; however, the most striking phenotypic change was that the testes-like structures completely vanished in a 2-3-week period. The internal genitalia were found to consist of a portion of a vagina and urethra. No fallopian tubes, uterus or remnants of Wolffian derivatives were observed. More importantly, no testes, ovaries, ovotestis or gonadal streaks could be identified. The XX/XY sex chromosome dosage and/or overexpression of the DAX1 gene on the X chromosome in the presence of a wild-type SRY gene may have caused this predominantly female phenotype. This specimen represents an atypical case of 38,XX/38,XY chimeric, ovotesticular disorder of sex development associated with agonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Vilchis
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco de Quiroga #15, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, México City, México
| | - Lizette Mares
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco de Quiroga #15, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, México City, México
| | - Bertha Chávez
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco de Quiroga #15, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, México City, México
| | - Arcadio Paredes
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco de Quiroga #15, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, México City, México
| | - Luis Ramos
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Av. Vasco de Quiroga #15, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, México City, México; and Corresponding author. ;
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Vernunft A, Ivell R, Heng K, Anand-Ivell R. The Male Fetal Biomarker INSL3 Reveals Substantial Hormone Exchange between Fetuses in Early Pig Gestation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152689. [PMID: 27031644 PMCID: PMC4816311 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide hormone INSL3 is uniquely produced by the fetal testis to promote the transabdominal phase of testicular descent. Because it is fetal sex specific, and is present in only very low amounts in the maternal circulation, INSL3 acts as an ideal biomarker with which to monitor the movement of fetal hormones within the pregnant uterus of a polytocous species, the pig. INSL3 production by the fetal testis begins at around GD30. At GD45 of the ca. 114 day gestation, a time at which testicular descent is promoted, INSL3 evidently moves from male to female allantoic compartments, presumably impacting also on the female fetal circulation. At later time-points (GD63, GD92) there is less inter-fetal transfer, although there still appears to be significant INSL3, presumably of male origin, in the plasma of female fetuses. This study thus provides evidence for substantial transfer of a peptide hormone between fetuses, and probably also across the placenta, emphasizing the vulnerability of the fetus to extrinsic hormonal influences within the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Vernunft
- FBN Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Richard Ivell
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Kee Heng
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Ravinder Anand-Ivell
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Valdivia K, Jouanno E, Volff JN, Galiana-Arnoux D, Guyomard R, Helary L, Mourot B, Fostier A, Quillet E, Guiguen Y. High temperature increases the masculinization rate of the all-female (XX) rainbow trout "Mal" population. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113355. [PMID: 25501353 PMCID: PMC4264747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonids are generally considered to have a robust genetic sex determination system with a simple male heterogamety (XX/XY). However, spontaneous masculinization of XX females has been found in a rainbow trout population of gynogenetic doubled haploid individuals. The analysis of this masculinization phenotype transmission supported the hypothesis of the involvement of a recessive mutation (termed mal). As temperature effect on sex differentiation has been reported in some salmonid species, in this study we investigated in detail the potential implication of temperature on masculinization in this XX mal-carrying population. Seven families issued from XX mal-carrying parents were exposed from the time of hatching to different rearing water temperatures ((8, 12 and 18°C), and the resulting sex-ratios were confirmed by histological analysis of both gonads. Our results demonstrate that masculinization rates are strongly increased (up to nearly two fold) at the highest temperature treatment (18°C). Interestingly, we also found clear differences between temperatures on the masculinization of the left versus the right gonads with the right gonad consistently more often masculinized than the left one at lower temperatures (8 and 12°C). However, the masculinization rate is also strongly dependent on the genetic background of the XX mal-carrying families. Thus, masculinization in XX mal-carrying rainbow trout is potentially triggered by an interaction between the temperature treatment and a complex genetic background potentially involving some part of the genetic sex differentiation regulatory cascade along with some minor sex-influencing loci. These results indicate that despite its rather strict genetic sex determinism system, rainbow trout sex differentiation can be modulated by temperature, as described in many other fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Valdivia
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Elodie Jouanno
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Nicolas Volff
- IGFL, UMR5242 CNRS/INRA/Université Claude Bernard Lyon I/ENS, Lyon, Cedex 07, France
| | | | - René Guyomard
- INRA, UMR1313 GABI Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Louise Helary
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Brigitte Mourot
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Alexis Fostier
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
| | - Edwige Quillet
- INRA, UMR1313 GABI Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352, Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
| | - Yann Guiguen
- INRA, UR1037 LPGP Fish Physiology and Genomics, F-35000, Rennes, France
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Rousseau S, Iannuccelli N, Mercat MJ, Naylies C, Thouly JC, Servin B, Milan D, Pailhoux E, Riquet J. A genome-wide association study points out the causal implication of SOX9 in the sex-reversal phenotype in XX pigs. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79882. [PMID: 24223201 PMCID: PMC3819277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among farm animals, pigs are known to show XX sex-reversal. In such cases the individuals are genetically female but exhibit a hermaphroditism, or a male phenotype. While the frequency of this congenital disease is quite low (less than 1%), the economic losses are significant for pig breeders. These losses result from sterility, urogenital infections and the carcasses being downgraded because of the risk of boar taint. It has been clearly demonstrated that the SRY gene is not involved in most cases of sex-reversal in pigs, and that autosomal recessive mutations remain to be discovered. A whole-genome scan analysis was performed in the French Large-White population to identify candidate genes: 38 families comprising the two non-affected parents and 1 to 11 sex-reversed full-sib piglets were genotyped with the PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. A Transmission Disequilibrium Test revealed a highly significant candidate region on SSC12 (most significant p-value<4.65.10-10) containing the SOX9 gene. SOX9, one of the master genes involved in testis differentiation, was sequenced together with one of its main regulatory region Tesco. However, no causal mutations could be identified in either of the two sequenced regions. Further haplotype analyses did not identify a shared homozygous segment between the affected pigs, suggesting either a lack of power due to the SNP properties of the chip, or a second causative locus. Together with information from humans and mice, this study in pigs adds to the field of knowledge, which will lead to characterization of novel molecular mechanisms regulating sexual differentiation and dysregulation in cases of sex reversal.
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Kow LM, Florea C, Schwanzel-Fukuda M, Devidze N, Kami Kia H, Lee A, Zhou J, Maclaughlin D, Donahoe P, Pfaff D. Development of a Sexually Differentiated Behavior and Its Underlying CNS Arousal Functions. Curr Top Dev Biol 2007; 79:37-59. [PMID: 17498546 DOI: 10.1016/s0070-2153(06)79002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This chapter addresses questions regarding lordosis behavior, the most extremely sexually differentiated behavior that has been analyzed for its neural and molecular mechanisms. Analysis of this behavior has proved for the first time that specific biochemical reactions in specific nerve cell groups in the brain determine a mammalian behavior. Lordosis is done by the female but not by the male. How did the process of sexual differentiation occur? A large literature implicates high levels of testosterone during a critical period during development as being responsible for the defeminization of the brain. A new idea, however, offers the possibility of direct genetic influences independent of testosterone levels themselves. We propose here that Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) and its receptors could constitute an example of a nonandrogenic genetic influence. Further, specific sexual behaviors depend on underlying arousal states in the central nervous system (CNS). We have proposed the concept of generalized CNS arousal and provide information as to how generalized arousal forces interact with specifically sexual influences, thus to facilitate sexually differentiated mating behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee-Ming Kow
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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Pieau C, Dorizzi M, Richard-Mercier N, Desvages G. Sexual differentiation of gonads as a function of temperature in the turtle Emys orbicularis: endocrine function, intersexuality and growth. THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY 1998; 281:400-8. [PMID: 9662827 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-010x(19980801)281:5<400::aid-jez5>3.0.co;2-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Emys orbicularis is a freshwater turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination. Estrogens play a major role in gonadal differentiation; when they are produced at high levels during the thermosensitive period (TSP), ovaries differentiate; when their synthesis is very low, testes differentiate. Estrogens are synthesized from androgens through the activity of aromatase. We examine here two aspects of gonadal differentiation, intersexuality and growth, in E. orbicularis. For gonadal intersexuality, we studied the relationship between gonadal aromatase activity and gonadal structure at 28.5 degrees C (pivotal temperature), from the beginning of TSP to hatching, and compared results to those obtained at 30 degrees C (producing 100% females) and 25 degrees C (producing 100% males). At 28.5 degrees C, both males and females are obtained. However, histological differentiation of gonads is delayed compared to that at 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C, and an ovarian-like cortex of various thicknesses often develops at the surface of the male gonads; thus, several individuals display ovotestes at hatching. Despite important individual variations, the aromatase activity in ovaries differentiating at 28.5 degrees C increases during development as in ovaries differentiating at 30 degrees C. In most cases, however, activity is slightly lower than at 30 degrees C, and at the end of embryonic life, it becomes similar to that at 30 degrees C. In testes or ovotestes differentiating at 28.5 degrees C, aromatase activity remains low but is generally slightly higher than in testes at 25 degrees C; however, at the end of embryonic development, it becomes similar to that at 25 degrees C. Oocytes in the cortex of ovotestes begin to degenerate around hatching and continue to degenerate after hatching. Therefore, ovotestes evolve as testes. However, some oocytes may persist at the surface of testes up to the adult age. To estimate gonadal growth, the protein content was measured at different embryonic stages at 25 degrees C and at 30 degrees C. Testis growth is fast during TSP, somewhat slower after TSP, and decreases around hatching. Ovary growth is much slower than testis growth during TSP and then accelerates up to the end of embryonic development. This differential growth is well correlated with gonadal aromatase activity--much higher at 30 degrees C than at 25 degrees C--and can be explained by the fact that during TSP, testicular cords develop at 25 degrees C whereas they are inhibited at 30 degrees C; the ovarian cortex begins to form during this period but grows chiefly after TSP. Both inhibition of testicular cord development and stimulation of cortex development are under the control of endogenous estrogens. In the case of ovotestes, slight increases in estrogen synthesis, compared to that in typical testes, are sufficient to induce the transient formation of an ovarian-like cortex although they do not inhibit the development of testicular cords.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pieau
- Institut Jacques Monod, C.N.R.S. et Universités Paris 6 et 7, France.
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Abstract
In mammals, gonadal sex is determined by the action of the testis-determining gene, SRY. In the absence of SRY, the indifferent gonad follows an alternative pathway and develops as an ovary. Both mitotic and meiotic germ cells appear to play an essential role in ensuring ovarian development. Ovaries depleted of germ cells before or after ovarian differentiation has commenced can develop seminiferous cords, suggesting that XX germ cells may inhibit testicular differentiation in the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Whitworth
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Box 45, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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