Longitudinal covariation of testosterone and sperm quality across reproductive stages in the zebra finch

Hurley, Laura L.; Ton, Riccardo; Rowe, Melissah; Buchanan, Katherine L.; Griffith, Simon C.; Crino, Ondi L.

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105388

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In line with this is the rather passive nature of competition in this species and the low levels of testosterone expressed by zebra nches 41,[68][69][70] . The testosterone levels increase slightly in male zebra nches during their partner's fertile window 47,71 . However, this is mainly related to optimising the production of sperm and likely does not affect sperm competition or competition in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Riyahi,

Liebermann-Lilie,

Jacobs

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Animals plastically adjust their physiological and behavioural phenotypes to conform to their social environment—social niche conformance. The degree of sexual competition is a critical part of the social environment to which animals adjust their phenotypes, but the underlying genetic mechanisms are poorly understood. We conducted a study to investigate how differences in sperm competition risk affect the gene expression profiles of the testes and two brain areas (posterior pallium and optic tectum) in breeding male zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis). In this pre-registered study, we investigated a large sample of 59 individual transcriptomes. We compared two experimental groups: males held in single pairs (low sexual competition) versus those held in two pairs (elevated sexual competition) per breeding cage. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we observed significant effects of the social treatment in all three tissues. However, only the treatment effects found in the pallium were confirmed by an additional randomisation test for statistical robustness. Likewise, the differential gene expression analysis revealed treatment effects only in the posterior pallium (ten genes) and optic tectum (six genes). No treatment effects were found in the testis at the single gene level. Thus, our experiments do not provide strong evidence for transcriptomic adjustment specific to manipulated sperm competition risk. However, we did observe transcriptomic adjustments to the manipulated social environment in the posterior pallium. These effects were polygenic rather than based on few individual genes with strong effects. Our findings are discussed in relation to an accompanying paper using the same animals, which reports behavioural results consistent with the results presented here.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Riyahi,

Liebermann-Lilie,

Jacobs

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In line with this is the rather passive nature of competition in this species and the low levels of testosterone expressed by zebra finches [ 41 , 68 – 70 ]. The testosterone levels increase slightly in male zebra finches during their partner's fertile window [ 47 , 71 ]. However, this is mainly related to optimising the production of sperm and likely does not affect sperm competition or competition in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For each male, we obtained the transcriptome from one of the testes and two brain regions (posterior pallium and optic tectum). We decided to study gene expression of the testes because of their central role in traits linked to sperm competition (plasticity in testosterone profiles and ejaculate traits [ 47 ]). Although our behavioural results did not reveal clear signatures of sperm competition [ 41 ], we still hypothesised that potentially subtle effects of sperm competition could be reflected in testes transcriptomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Riyahi,

Liebermann-Lilie,

Jacobs

et al. 2024

BMC Genomics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Animals plastically adjust their physiological and behavioural phenotypes to conform to their social environment—social niche conformance. The degree of sexual competition is a critical part of the social environment to which animals adjust their phenotypes, but the underlying genetic mechanisms are poorly understood. We conducted a study to investigate how differences in sperm competition risk affect the gene expression profiles of the testes and two brain areas (posterior pallium and optic tectum) in breeding male zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis). In this pre-registered study, we investigated a large sample of 59 individual transcriptomes. We compared two experimental groups: males held in single breeding pairs (low sexual competition) versus those held in two pairs (elevated sexual competition) per breeding cage. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we observed significant effects of the social treatment in all three tissues. However, only the treatment effects found in the pallium were confirmed by an additional randomisation test for statistical robustness. Likewise, the differential gene expression analysis revealed treatment effects only in the posterior pallium (ten genes) and optic tectum (six genes). No treatment effects were found in the testis at the single gene level. Thus, our experiments do not provide strong evidence for transcriptomic adjustment specific to manipulated sperm competition risk. However, we did observe transcriptomic adjustments to the manipulated social environment in the posterior pallium. These effects were polygenic rather than based on few individual genes with strong effects. Our findings are discussed in relation to an accompanying paper using the same animals, which reports behavioural results consistent with the results presented here.

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“…For the semen taken from canaries to be affected by external negativities as little as possible, the semen taken was examined without waiting. After the sperm was diluted at the desired temperature, it was evaluated by observing it under a heated light microscope for approximately 30-45 s. It is known that this time difference does not have any negative effect on motility determination (Hurley et al, 2023). The sample taken from the diluted semen was stained immediately and then dried for approximately 1 min and evaluated.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Spermmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Different Processing Temperature on Motility and Viability in Canary Sperm

Özkök

2024

IJAR

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Background: Canaries have attracted people’s attention with their colors, shapes and impressive songs. The fact that canaries are domesticated and easy to obtain has made these birds attractive for songbird studies. In our study, canary semen was examined at different temperature values. This study aims to determine the most efficient spermatozoa examination temperature in canaries. Methods: In this study, five different temperature values (36, 38, 40, 42 and 44°C) were determined. The study used 6 active male Gloster canaries in each group. After each semen collection application, a 3-day break was given for the birds to rest. Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) expander, which is preferred by songbirds, was used in the research. The semen was diluted 1:2 in a water bath at specified temperatures (36, 38, 40, 42, 44°C) and immediately examined for motility and viability. Result: When the study results were evaluated, it was seen that the viability rate at 38°C was higher than the other groups and 40°C gave the highest results in terms of motility. In addition to the viability rate at 38°C, the swimming speed of spermatozoa was also found to be more stable over a wider area than other groups. As a result, based on the data obtained from the study, it can be said that the most appropriate temperature for motility and viability in canary spermatozoa is 38°C.

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Longitudinal covariation of testosterone and sperm quality across reproductive stages in the zebra finch

Cited by 4 publications

References 74 publications

Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Transcriptomic changes in the posterior pallium of male zebra finches associated with social niche conformance

Effect of Different Processing Temperature on Motility and Viability in Canary Sperm

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