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Unveiling the critical role of androgen receptor signaling in avian sexual development

Author

Listed:
  • Kamila Lengyel

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
    Technical University of Munich)

  • Mekhla Rudra

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Tom V. L. Berghof

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Albertine Leitão

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Carolina Frankl-Vilches

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Falk Dittrich

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Denise Duda

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Romina Klinger

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Sabrina Schleibinger

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Hicham Sid

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Lisa Trost

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

  • Hanna Vikkula

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Benjamin Schusser

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Manfred Gahr

    (Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence)

Abstract

Gonadal hormone activities mediated by androgen and estrogen receptors, along with cell-autonomous mechanisms arising from the absence of sex-chromosome dosage compensation, are key factors in avian sexual development. In this study, we generate androgen receptor (AR) knockout chickens (AR−/−) to explore the role of androgen signaling in avian sexual development. Despite developing sex-typical gonads and gonadal hormone production, AR−/− males and females are infertile. While few somatic sex-specific traits persist (body size, spurs, and tail feathers), crucial sexual attributes such as comb, wattles and sexual behaviors remain underdeveloped in both sexes. Testosterone treatment of young AR−/− males fails to induce crow behavior, comb development, or regression of the bursa of Fabricius, which are testosterone-dependent phenotypes. These findings highlight the significance of androgen receptor mechanisms in fertility and sex-specific traits in chickens, challenging the concept of a default sex in birds and emphasizing the dominance of androgen signaling in avian sexual development.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamila Lengyel & Mekhla Rudra & Tom V. L. Berghof & Albertine Leitão & Carolina Frankl-Vilches & Falk Dittrich & Denise Duda & Romina Klinger & Sabrina Schleibinger & Hicham Sid & Lisa Trost & Hanna V, 2024. "Unveiling the critical role of androgen receptor signaling in avian sexual development," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52989-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52989-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fumihiko Maekawa & Miyano Sakurai & Yuki Yamashita & Kohichi Tanaka & Shogo Haraguchi & Kazutoshi Yamamoto & Kazuyoshi Tsutsui & Hidefumi Yoshioka & Shizuko Murakami & Ryo Tadano & Tatsuhiko Goto & Ju, 2013. "A genetically female brain is required for a regular reproductive cycle in chicken brain chimeras," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-11, June.
    2. D. Zhao & D. McBride & S. Nandi & H. A. McQueen & M. J. McGrew & P. M. Hocking & P. D. Lewis & H. M. Sang & M. Clinton, 2010. "Somatic sex identity is cell autonomous in the chicken," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7286), pages 237-242, March.
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