10.5061/DRYAD.5D9S571
Bauer, Carolyn M.
Adelphi University
Fudickar, Adam M.
Indiana University Bloomington
Anderson-Buckingham, Skylar
North Dakota State University
Abolins-Abols, Mikus
Indiana University Bloomington
Atwell, Jonathan W.
Indiana University Bloomington
Ketterson, Ellen D.
Indiana University Bloomington
Greives, Timothy J.
North Dakota State University
Data from: Seasonally sympatric but allochronic: differential expression
of hypothalamic genes in a songbird during gonadal development
Dryad
dataset
2018
gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Junco hyemalis
androgen receptor
estrogen receptor
mRNA expression
National Science Foundation
https://ror.org/021nxhr62
IOS-1257474, IOS-1257527
2018-10-08T13:42:58Z
2018-10-08T13:42:58Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1735
61262 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Allochrony, the mismatch of reproductive schedules, is one mechanism that
can mediate sympatric speciation and diversification. In songbirds, the
transition into breeding condition and gonadal growth is regulated by the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis at multiple levels. We
investigated whether the difference in reproductive timing between two,
seasonally sympatric subspecies of dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) was
related to gene expression along the HPG axis. During the sympatric
pre-breeding stage, we measured hypothalamic and testicular mRNA
expression of candidate genes via qPCR in captive male juncos. For
hypothalamic mRNA, we found our earlier breeding subspecies had increased
expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and decreased
expression of androgen receptor, estrogen receptor alpha, and
mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Subspecies did not differ in expression
of hypothalamic gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and glucocorticoid
receptor (GR). While our earlier breeding subspecies had higher mRNA
expression of testicular GR, subspecies did not differ in testicular
luteinizing hormone receptor, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, or MR
mRNA expression levels. Our findings indicate increased GnRH production
and decreased hypothalamic sensitivity to sex steroid negative feedback as
factors promoting differences in the timing of gonadal recrudescence
between recently diverged populations. Differential gene expression along
the HPG axis may facilitate species diversification under seasonal
sympatry.
qPCR data from junco hypothalami and testes*The first six tabs each
display values for hypothalamic genes *The last four tabs each display
values for testicular genes *Band # refers to the USFWS silver, metal band
that each, individual bird was banded with *Population refers to residents
(Junco hyemalis carolinensis) and migrants (Junco hyemalis hyemalis)
*Hypothalamus reference genes were PPIA and GAPDH *The testicular
reference gene was RPL4 *For details on how qPCR assays were run, assay
variation, etc. please see main text and supplementary materials *Note:
Hypothalamic genes were run so all individuals were on the same plate.
Testicular genes were run so one plate had all genes from the same
individual.Supp_Mat_Data_for_Dryad.xlsx
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Virginia