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Liu G, Peng Y, Li Z, Zhu X, Sun H, Chen G, Zuo Q, Niu Y, Song J, Han W, Wei W, Li B, Jin K. An Inducible CYP19A1 Excision Model for Sexual Differentiation in Chicken ( Gallus gallus) via the CRISPR/Cas9 System. Vet Sci 2025; 12:296. [PMID: 40284798 PMCID: PMC12031565 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12040296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2025] [Accepted: 03/20/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Aromatase, a crucial enzyme for estrogen synthesis, plays a vital role in gender determination and differentiation. This study aimed to establish an inducible knockout model of the chicken CYP19A1 gene, which encodes aromatase, to support gender control in chickens. We selected the most efficient sgRNA target site and constructed an inducible knockout model based on the Tet-on system. The knockout efficiency reached 80% with 20 μg/mL DOX induction in vitro. The encapsulation of the plasmid with PEI and injection into eggs achieved a knockout efficiency of 45% in ovo. qRT-PCR analysis revealed a significant downregulation of female-related genes (CYP19A1, FOXL2, ESR1) and upregulation of male-related genes (DMRT1, SOX9, AMH) in female chicken embryos after induction. Western blotting showed decreased protein expression of CYP19A1 and FOXL2, and increased SOX9 expression in female embryos post-DOX induction. Elisa detection further confirmed lower estradiol levels in the gonads of induced female embryos compared to normal and non-induced females. These findings demonstrate the successful establishment of an inducible knockout system for the CYP19A1 gene in chickens, providing theoretical and technical support for the creation of new breeding materials for gender control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzheng Liu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yixiu Peng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xilin Zhu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Guohong Chen
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yingjie Niu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jiuzhou Song
- Department of Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Wei Han
- Jiangsu Institute of Poultry Sciences/Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou 225003, China;
| | - Wanhong Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
| | - Bichun Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (G.L.); (Y.P.); (Z.L.); (X.Z.); (H.S.); (G.C.); (Q.Z.); (Y.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Institute of Poultry Sciences/Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou 225003, China;
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Hou Y, Peng J, Hong L, Wu Z, Zheng E, Li Z. Gender Control of Mouse Embryos by Activation of TLR7/8 on X Sperm via Ligands dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR. Molecules 2024; 29:262. [PMID: 38202845 PMCID: PMC10780660 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender control technologies are promising for enhancing the production efficiency of the farm animal industry, and preventing sex-linked hereditary diseases in humans. It has been shown that the X sperm of mammalian animals specifically expresses X-chromosome-derived toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8), and the activation of TLR7/8 on the X sperm by their agonist, R848, can separate X and Y sperm via the specific inhibition of X sperm motility. The use of R848-preselected sperm for fertilization resulted in sex-ratio-skewed embryos or offspring. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether two other TLR7/8 ligands, double-stranded RNA-40 (dsRNA-40) and double-stranded RNA-DR (dsRNA-DR), are also effective in the separation of mouse X and Y sperm and the subsequent generation of gender-ratio-skewed in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Our results indicated that cholesterol modification significantly enhances the transfection of dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR into sperm cells. dsRNA-40 and dsRNA-DR incubation with mouse sperm could separate X and Y sperm by the specific suppression of X sperm motility by decreasing its ATP level and mitochondrial activity. The use of a dsRNA-40- or dsRNA-DR-preselected upper layer of sperm, which predominantly contains high-motility Y sperm, for IVF caused a male-biased sex ratio shift in resulting embryos (with 65.90-74.93% of embryos being male). This study develops a simple new method for the efficient separation of mammalian X and Y sperm, enabling the selective production of male or female progenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Hou
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jingfeng Peng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Enqin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry Breeding Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agricultural Science and Technology, Guangzhou 510642, China
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Knockout of Rlim Results in a Sex Ratio Shift toward Males but Superovulation Cannot Compensate for the Reduced Litter Size. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061079. [PMID: 36978620 PMCID: PMC10044649 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Technologies that can preselect offspring gender hold great promise for improving farm animal productivity and preventing human sex-related hereditary diseases. The maternal Rlim allele is required for imprinted X-chromosome inactivation, which is essential for the normal development of female mouse embryos. In this study, we inactivated the maternal Rlim allele in embryos by crossing a male transgenic mouse line carrying an X-linked CMV-Cre transgene with a female line carrying a loxP-flanked Rlim gene. Knockout of the maternal Rlim gene in embryos resulted in a male-biased sex ratio skew in the offspring. However, it also reduced litter size, and this effect was not compensated for by superovulation in the mother mice. In addition, we showed that siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rlim in mouse embryos leads to the birth of male-only progenies. This study provides a new promising method for male-biased sex selection, which may help to improve the productivity in livestock and prevent sex-associated hereditary diseases in humans.
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Bai M, Liang D, Cheng Y, Liu G, Wang Q, Li J, Wu Y. Gonadal mosaicism mediated female-biased gender control in mice. Protein Cell 2022; 13:863-868. [PMID: 35334072 PMCID: PMC9237195 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-022-00910-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meizhu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Dan Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Guolong Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Qiudao Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yuxuan Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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Advancements in mammalian X and Y sperm differences and sex control technology. ZYGOTE 2022; 30:423-430. [DOI: 10.1017/s0967199421000939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Summary
Mammal sex determination depends on whether the X sperm or Y sperm binds to the oocyte during fertilization. If the X sperm joins in oocyte, the offspring will be female, if the Y sperm fertilizes, the offspring will be male. Livestock sex control technology has tremendous value for livestock breeding as it can increase the proportion of female offspring and improve the efficiency of livestock production. This review discusses the detailed differences between mammalian X and Y sperm with respect to their morphology, size, and motility in the reproductive tract and in in vitro conditions, as well as ’omics analysis results. Moreover, research progress in mammalian sex control technology has been summarized.
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Douglas C, Maciulyte V, Zohren J, Snell DM, Mahadevaiah SK, Ojarikre OA, Ellis PJI, Turner JMA. CRISPR-Cas9 effectors facilitate generation of single-sex litters and sex-specific phenotypes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6926. [PMID: 34862376 PMCID: PMC8642469 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27227-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals are essential genetic tools in scientific research and global resources in agriculture. In both arenas, a single sex is often required in surplus. The ethical and financial burden of producing and culling animals of the undesired sex is considerable. Using the mouse as a model, we develop a synthetic lethal, bicomponent CRISPR-Cas9 strategy that produces male- or female-only litters with one hundred percent efficiency. Strikingly, we observe a degree of litter size compensation relative to control matings, indicating that our system has the potential to increase the yield of the desired sex in comparison to standard breeding designs. The bicomponent system can also be repurposed to generate postnatal sex-specific phenotypes. Our approach, harnessing the technological applications of CRISPR-Cas9, may be applicable to other vertebrate species, and provides strides towards ethical improvements for laboratory research and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Douglas
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Valdone Maciulyte
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jasmin Zohren
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Daniel M Snell
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Obah A Ojarikre
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - James M A Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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Karavolias NG, Horner W, Abugu MN, Evanega SN. Application of Gene Editing for Climate Change in Agriculture. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.685801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change imposes a severe threat to agricultural systems, food security, and human nutrition. Meanwhile, efforts in crop and livestock gene editing have been undertaken to improve performance across a range of traits. Many of the targeted phenotypes include attributes that could be beneficial for climate change adaptation. Here, we present examples of emerging gene editing applications and research initiatives that are aimed at the improvement of crops and livestock in response to climate change, and discuss technical limitations and opportunities therein. While only few applications of gene editing have been translated to agricultural production thus far, numerous studies in research settings have demonstrated the potential for potent applications to address climate change in the near future.
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Xie Y, Xu Z, Wu Z, Hong L. Sex Manipulation Technologies Progress in Livestock: A Review. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:481. [PMID: 32923466 PMCID: PMC7456994 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex manipulation technologies allow predetermination of the sex of animal offspring by altering the normal reproductive process. In livestock production, the difference in type and gender can translate into significant economic benefits, including alleviation of severe food shortages. In livestock, however, the commercial application of sex manipulation technologies is currently available for cattle only. In this review, we described the brief history of sex manipulation, and the research progresses of common methods used in sex manipulation thus far. Information presented in this review can inform future studies on expanding the scope and use of sex manipulation technologies in livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqian Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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Douglas C, Turner JMA. Advances and challenges in genetic technologies to produce single-sex litters. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008898. [PMID: 32701961 PMCID: PMC7377362 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
There is currently a requirement for single-sex litters for many applications, including agriculture, pest control, and reducing animal culling in line with the 3Rs principles: Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement. The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing presents a new opportunity with which to potentially generate all-female or all-male litters. We review some of the historical nongenetic strategies employed to generate single-sex litters and investigate how genetic and genome editing techniques are currently being used to produce all-male or all-female progeny. Lastly, we speculate on future technologies for generating single-sex litters and the possible associated challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Douglas
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - James M A Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Sexual Dimorphism for Coping Styles Complements Traditional Methods for Sex Determination in a Multivariety Endangered Hen Breed. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121165. [PMID: 31861237 PMCID: PMC6941311 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Early determination of sex of poultry specimens plays a major role in the design and implementation of conservation programs for endangered avian species. This information can be used to tailor noninvasive early specific models to determine sex, fitting the characteristics of local poultry populations, as traditional methods may not be effective given the implicit diversity of local breeds and their varieties or strains. The English method, down feather coloration, wing fan, and behavior/coping styles displayed by the individuals can be used to accurately sort animals according to their sex, regardless of the variety of the individuals. Abstract Sex determination is key to designing endangered poultry population conservation and breeding programs when sex distribution departs from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. A total of 112 Utrerana chickens (28 per variety, partridge, black, white, and franciscan) were selected for hatching day sexing. Sex assignation was performed through 10 methods. Three sex assignment criteria comprised criteria found in literature, opposite criteria to that in the literature, and composite criteria combining methods reporting the highest predictive success from the previous ones. This study aims to determine which method combinations may more successfully determine sex across the four varieties of Utrerana endangered hen breed to tailor noninvasive early specific models to determine sex in local chicken populations. Although the explanatory power of the three assignation criteria is equal (75%), assignation criteria 2 resulted to be the most efficient as it correctly assigns males more frequently. Only methods 3 (English method), 5 (general down feathers coloration), 7 (wing fan), and 10 (behavior/coping styles) reported significant differences regardless of the variety, hence, are appropriate for early sexing. Sex confirmation was performed at 1.5 months old. Identifying sex proportions enhances genetic management tasks in endangered populations, complementing more standardized techniques, which may result inefficient given the implicit diversity found in local populations.
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Abstract
In most animals, sexual reproduction results in a 1:1 ratio of females to males. For several sectors of agriculture, for example, milk or egg production, only a single sex is needed. Biasing the sex ratio so that only offspring of the desired sex are produced has the potential to increase breeding efficiency. In this issue of EMBO Reports, Yosef et al [1] demonstrate a genetic approach to bias the sex ratio in mice by specifically disrupting essential genes in male embryos. Their approach is an important first step toward generating sex-ratio biasing applications for agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsBiotechnology InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - David Zarkower
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMNUSA
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