scholarly journals Consequences of prenatal androgen exposure for the reproductive performance of female pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus )

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1606) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Rubolini ◽  
Roberta Martinelli ◽  
Nikolaus von Engelhardt ◽  
Maria Romano ◽  
Ton G.G Groothuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Laying ◽  
Phasianus Colchicus ◽  
Female Embryo ◽  
Male Embryo ◽  
Maternal Treatment ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Vertebrate Eggs ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

Maternal hormones in vertebrate eggs can mediate important forms of maternal effects. However, the function of hormone transfer to the eggs is still debated, especially because long-term fitness consequences have been little studied. We investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to physiologically elevated yolk testosterone (T) levels on reproduction of female pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) in captivity. We found that females hatching from T-injected eggs (T-females) had a lower egg-laying rate than controls, and their eggs were more frequently infertile than those laid by control females. There were no effects of prenatal maternal treatment on egg size and yolk T concentration, but eggs carrying a female embryo laid by T-females had smaller yolks than eggs with a male embryo, while there was no sex difference in yolk size among the eggs laid by control females. Progeny sex ratio was unaffected by maternal treatment. These findings suggest that the transfer of high androgen levels to the eggs by the mother is constrained by complex trade-offs between direct effects on her daughters’ reproduction and by trans-generational differential consequences on male and female descendants.

scholarly journals Investigating the reliability and sex differences of digit lengths, ratios, and hand measures in infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Ernsten ◽  
Lisa M. Körner ◽  
Martin Heil ◽  
Gareth Richards ◽  
Nora K. Schaal
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Directional Asymmetry ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Digit Ratios ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

AbstractHands and digits tend to be sexually dimorphic and may reflect prenatal androgen exposure. In the past years, the literature introduced several hand and digit measures, but there is a lack of studies in prepubertal cohorts. The available literature reports more heterogeneous findings in prepubertal compared to postpubertal cohorts. The comparability of the available studies is further limited by the study design and different measurement techniques. The present study compared the reliability and sex differences of available hand and digit measures, namely digit lengths of 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D, digit ratios 2D:4D, 2D:5D, 3D:4D, 3D:5D, 4D:5D, relative digit lengths rel2, rel3, rel4, rel5, directional asymmetry of right and left 2D:4D (Dr-l), hand width, length, and index of 399 male and 364 female 6-month-old German infants within one study using only indirect and computer-assisted measurements. The inter-examiner reliability was excellent while the test-retest reliability of hand scans was only moderate to high. Boys exhibited longer digits as well as wider and longer hands than girls, but smaller digit ratios, with ratios comprising the fifth digit revealing the largest effect sizes. Other hand and digit ratios revealed sex differences to some extent. The findings promote the assumption of sexual dimorphic hand and digit measures. However, by comparing the results of the available literature, there remains an uncertainty regarding the underlying hypothesis. Specifically in prepubertal cohorts, i.e. before the influence of fluctuating hormones, significant effects should be expected. It seems like other factors than the influence of prenatal androgens contribute to the sexual dimorphism in hand and digit lengths.

EVIDENCE FOR ASSORTATIVE MATING ON DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D), A BIOMARKER FOR PRENATAL ANDROGEN EXPOSURE

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN VORACEK ◽  
STEFAN G. DRESSLER ◽  
JOHN T. MANNING
Keyword(s):  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Digit Ratio ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
The Right ◽  
Prenatal Androgen ◽  
Spousal Similarity

SummaryThe second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) presents an anatomical sex difference in humans. On average, men tend to have lower 2D:4D compared with women. There is fairly strong evidence for a role of the 2D:4D ratio as a biomarker for the organizational (permanent) effects of prenatal testosterone on the brain and behaviour. Recently, an accumulating research programme has shown 2D:4D to be related to a multitude of sex-dependent, hormonally influenced biosocial traits and phenotypes which reach into the domains of ability, behaviour, fertility, health, personality and sexuality. This study investigated the degree of assortative mating (spousal similarity) in a sample of 239 native Austrian couples of parental or grandparental age, all of them having reproduced. Results included: (i) significant spousal correlations of +0·19 and +0·18 for right-hand and left-hand 2D:4D, respectively, and +0·24 for average 2D:4D; (ii) no assortative mating effect on the right-minus-left difference in 2D:4D; (iii) indications consistent with a possible generational decrease of spousal similarity in 2D:4D; (iv) a prevalence of couples with a lower right-hand 2D:4D observed in the husband compared with his wife; and (v) relations of spousal 2D:4D patterns to spousal age differences, such that matings of men with more male-typical trait expressions (namely, a generally low right-hand 2D:4D or showing a lower right-minus-left 2D:4D difference than their wives) implicated larger male-minus-female age differences, i.e. younger wives. It is argued that assortative mating on 2D:4D operates indirectly and may be mediated through the assortment on other, more perceptible, physical traits and psychological phenotypes that entertain associations with 2D:4D and are relevant for courtship and mate choice.

P–632 Examination of temporal changes in phenotype and gut microbiome during the process of growth in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model induced by prenatal androgen exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kusamoto ◽  
M Harada ◽  
J M Azhary ◽  
C Kunitomi ◽  
E Nose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Sesame Oil ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Obese Adolescent ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

Abstract Study question From when do abnormality in gut microbiome and phenotypes of PCOS appear during the process of growth? Summary answer Reproductive phenotypes of PCOS appear from 6 weeks and metabolic phenotypes from 12 weeks onward. Alteration in gut microbiome appears as early as 4 weeks. What is known already The etiology of PCOS remains largely unknown, however PCOS is considered as a complex multigenic disorder with strong epigenetic and environmental influence. Previous studies have suggested that fetal over-exposure to androgens could be the main factor of the development of PCOS after birth. On the other hands, recent studies on both human and PCOS rodent models have demonstrated the association between PCOS and alteration of gut microbiome in adulthood. Furthermore, it was recently reported that gut microbiome in obese adolescent with PCOS is different from obese adolescent without PCOS. Study design, size, duration A rodent PCOS model induced by prenatal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHT) exposure was applied to this study. Phenotypes and gut microbiome were compared between PCOS model mice (n = 12/group) and control mice (n = 10/group) at each stage of growth; 4 weeks (prepuberty), 6 weeks (puberty), 8 weeks (adolescent), 12 weeks (young adult), and 16 weeks (adult). The determinants for PCOS phenotypes are onset of puberty, estrous cycle, morphology of ovaries, serum testosterone level, body weight, and insulin resistance. Participants/materials, setting, methods Pregnant dams were subcutaneously injected on days of 16, 17, and 18 of gestation with either sesame oil for control groups or sesame oil containing 250µg of DHT for prenatal DHT groups. The evaluation of PCOS phenotypes and gut microbiome in female offspring were performed at each stage of growth. For examination of gut microbiota, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of 16S rRNA genes were performed on DNA extracted from mouse fecal samples. Main results and the role of chance Prenatal DHT mice exhibited delayed puberty onset, disrupted estrous cycle, and significantly increased testosterone levels from 6 weeks onward. Significantly increased atretic antral follicles were observed in prenatal DHT mice at 6, 12, and 16 weeks. Prenatal DHT mice showed significantly decreased body weight at 4, 6, 8 weeks and increased body weight from 12 weeks onward. As for gut microbiome, alpha-diversity was significantly different between control and prenatal DHT mice from 8 weeks onward and beta-diversity was significantly different at 6 and 8 weeks. Altered composition of gut microbiota was observed as early as 4 weeks. At phylum level, Firmicutes are significantly increased in prenatal DHT mice at 4 and 8 weeks and decreased at 16 weeks. Actinobacteria phylum showed significant decrease at 6 and 8 weeks in prenatal DHT mice. At genus level, relative abundance of several bacterial taxa significantly differed between control and prenatal DHT mice; some taxa, such as Allobaculum, Adlercreutzia, Bilophila, Clostridium, Gemella, Gemmiger, Roseburia, Ruminococcus, Staphylococcus, and Sutterella, exhibited constant increase or decrease in prenatal DHT mice during the process of growth. Interestingly, Roseburia was never detected in prenatal DHT mice, while approximately half of control mice harbored Roseburia at 12 and 16 weeks. Limitations, reasons for caution It is not clearly determined whether alteration in gut microbiome is cause or result of PCOS development, although the changes in gut microbiome seemed to precede the appearance of typical PCOS phenotypes in the present study. Mouse model does not completely recapitulate human PCOS. Wider implications of the findings: Our findings suggest that prenatal androgen exposure causes alteration of gut microbiome from pre-puberty onward, even before PCOS phenotypes become apparent. Intervention for girls at risk of PCOS with pre/pro-biotics may prevent them from developing PCOS in future. Trial registration number Not applicable

Reanalysis of Historical Mourning Dove Nest Data by Using a Bayesian Approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Snyder ◽  
Xiaoming Gao ◽  
John H. Schulz ◽  
Joshua J. Millspaugh
Keyword(s):  
Hierarchical Modeling ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Original Study ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Mourning Dove ◽  
Zenaida Macroura ◽  
Bayesian Hierarchical ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Original Dataset ◽  
Nest Height

Abstract We reconstructed a historical mourning dove Zenaida macroura nesting dataset to estimate nest survival and investigate the effect of covariates by using a Bayesian hierarchical model. During 1979–1980, 106 study areas, across 27 states, were established to conduct weekly nest searches during February–October. We used roughly 11,000 data sheets to reconstruct the dataset containing 7,139 nests compared to 6,950 nests in the original study. Original and reconstructed nest survival estimates showed little difference by using the original analysis methodology, that is, the Mayfield method. Thus, we assumed we closely replicated the original dataset; distributions of nests found, birds hatched, and birds fledged also showed similar trends. After confirming the validity of the reconstructed dataset, we evaluated 10 different models by using a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach; the final model contained variables for nest age or stage, nest height, region, but not habitat. The year 1980 had a higher probability of nest survival compared to 1979, and nest survival increased with nest height. The nest encounter probability increased at days 4 and 11 of the nesting cycle, providing some insight into the convenience sampling used in the original study. Our reanalysis with the use of covariates confirms previous hypotheses that mourning doves are habitat generalists, but it adds new information showing lower nest survival during nest initiation and egg laying and a decline when fledglings would be 4 or 5 d old. Regional differences in mourning dove nest survival confirm existing hypotheses about northern states demonstrating greater nest success compared to southern states where differences may reflect trade-offs associated with northern latitudes, weather differences, or food availability.

scholarly journals Prenatal androgen exposure causes hypertension and gut microbiota dysbiosis

Gut Microbes ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shermel B. Sherman ◽  
Nadeen Sarsour ◽  
Marziyeh Salehi ◽  
Allen Schroering ◽  
Blair Mell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen ◽  
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

scholarly journals Origins and Impact of Psychological Traits in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabet Stener-Victorin ◽  
Maria Manti ◽  
Romina Fornes ◽  
Sanjiv Risal ◽  
Haojiang Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit compromised psychiatric health. Independent of obesity, women with PCOS are more susceptible to have anxiety and depression diagnoses and other neuropsychiatric disorders. During pregnancy women with PCOS display high circulating androgen levels that may cause prenatal androgen exposure affecting the growing fetus and increasing the risk of mood disorders in offspring. Increasing evidence supports a non-genetic, maternal contribution to the development of PCOS and anxiety disorders in the next generation. Prenatal androgenized rodent models reflecting the anxiety-like phenotype of PCOS in the offspring, found evidence for the altered placenta and androgen receptor function in the amygdala, together with changes in the expression of genes associated with emotional regulation and steroid receptors in the amygdala and hippocampus. These findings defined a previously unknown mechanism that may be critical in understanding how maternal androgen excess can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders in daughters and partly in sons of PCOS mothers. Maternal obesity is another common feature of PCOS causing an unfavorable intrauterine environment which may contribute to psychiatric problems in the offspring. Whether environmental factors such as prenatal androgen exposure and obesity increase the offspring’s susceptibility to develop psychiatric ill-health will be discussed.

scholarly journals Experiments on the egg-laying instincts of the sawfly, Pontania salicis Christ., and their bearing on the inheritance of acquired characters; with some remarks on a new principle in evolution

1927 ◽  
Vol 101 (707) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Habits ◽  
Calluna Vulgaris ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Food Plant ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Natural Manner ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Inheritance Of Acquired Characters ◽  
Acquired Characters

In the course of genetical investigations (Harrison, 1920) in the lepidopterous genus Oporabia I conceived the idea that the inherited instinct of Oporabia filigrammaria HS. to deposit its eggs on heather ( Calluna vulgaris ) was the direct result of long-continued isolation on treeless heather-clad moorlands, involving a compulsory diet of that plant; in other words, I felt that the development of the instinct and its inheritance were Lamarckian effects. To test these views experimentally, by attempting a transference in the food habits of other insects, seemed far from difficult, and search was forthwith made for material easy to manipulate in captivity. No forms appeared more adapted for the purpose than the Geometrid moths Lycia hirtaria Cl. and Phigalia pedaria F., which I had employed in former experiments. However, the technique adopted, at any rate as applied to these insects, proved unsatisfactory and had therefore to be modified. Unexpected difficulties, riot in securing oviposition in a state of semicaptivity but in its taking place in a natural manner on the food plant, were immediately encountered.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document