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GnRH--a missing link between testosterone concentrations in yolk and plasma and its intergenerational effects
Wendt Müller1, Ton G G Groothuis, Vivian C Goerlich
1Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Wendt.Muller@ua.ac.be
Plos One
|August 11, 2011
Summary
Maternal yolk testosterone influences offspring hormone regulation. Embryonic exposure to testosterone reduced adult hormone responsiveness, impacting future egg testosterone deposition in canaries.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Hormone-mediated maternal effects are crucial in offspring development.
- Mechanisms linking maternal circulation hormones to egg yolk deposition remain unclear.
- The intergenerational impact of embryonic hormone exposure on adult reproductive physiology is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and testosterone levels in female canary circulation and egg yolk.
- To determine if embryonic exposure to yolk testosterone affects adult GnRH responsiveness and subsequent yolk hormone deposition.
- To explore the intergenerational effects of maternal hormone-mediated effects.
Main Methods:
- Manipulating embryonic exposure to yolk testosterone in female canaries.
- Measuring plasma testosterone levels in response to GnRH administration.
- Correlating GnRH responsiveness with yolk testosterone content.
- Assessing the impact of embryonic testosterone exposure on adult GnRH responsiveness.
Main Results:
- Female canaries exhibited a rise in plasma testosterone after GnRH administration.
- GnRH responsiveness positively correlated with yolk testosterone content.
- Embryonic exposure to elevated yolk testosterone reduced adult GnRH responsiveness, but did not alter yolk testosterone concentrations.
Conclusions:
- GnRH stimulation increases testosterone in both maternal circulation and eggs, potentially constraining yolk hormone deposition due to trade-offs.
- Embryonic exposure to testosterone can epigenetically modify adult reproductive physiology, potentially limiting environmental influences on yolk hormone deposition.
- Maternal hormone deposition in eggs is a complex process influenced by both maternal physiology and embryonic hormonal environment.
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