Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

7.9K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
7.9K
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

1.3K
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
1.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

DNA methylation profiles of quail blood cells by whole-genome bisulfite and Oxford Nanopore sequencing.

Scientific data·2026
Same author

Detection of quantitative trait loci and genetic correlations of lipid reserves and production traits in aging laying hens.

Poultry science·2026
Same author

A comprehensive genome-wide scan for parent-of-origin expressed genes in the pig clarifies the conservation landscape of genomic imprinting.

Genetics, selection, evolution : GSE·2026
Same author

Exploring the relationships between the gut microbiome composition and movement patterns of laying hens in a multitier cage-free housing system.

PloS one·2026
Same author

A lactobacilli-based probiotic but not its postbiotic reduces intestinal inflammatory pathways expression in broilers fed a non-starch polysaccharide rich challenge diet.

Poultry science·2025
Same author

Detection of genomic regions affecting thermotolerance traits in growing pigs during acute and chronic heat stress.

Genetics, selection, evolution : GSE·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell
08:11

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

5.1K

Embryonic environment and transgenerational effects in quail.

Sophie Leroux1, David Gourichon2, Christine Leterrier3,4,5,6

  • 1GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRA, INPT, ENVT, 31326, Castanet Tolosan, France.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution : GSE
|January 28, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental exposures can alter bird phenotypes across generations, potentially through epigenetic changes. This study in quail shows embryonic genistein exposure affected third-generation offspring, impacting sexual maturity and behavior without significant DNA methylation changes.

More Related Videos

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
09:38

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

11.5K
Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example
14:23

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Published on: February 16, 2019

7.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell
08:11

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

5.1K
Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
09:38

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras

Published on: May 31, 2014

11.5K
Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example
14:23

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Published on: February 16, 2019

7.9K

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Environmental Science
  • Avian Biology and Endocrinology
  • Developmental Toxicology

Background:

  • Environmental exposures, including chemicals, can induce long-term phenotypic changes in plants and animals, sometimes spanning multiple generations.
  • Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, are implicated in transgenerational inheritance of phenotypes.
  • The existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in birds remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish an avian model for investigating transgenerational effects of embryonic environmental changes.
  • To determine if embryonic exposure to genistein, a known epigenome modifier, induces heritable phenotypic alterations in quail offspring up to the third generation.

Main Methods:

  • Development of two quail lines (Epi+ and Epi-) from the same founders, differing in embryonic exposure to genistein.
  • Implementation of a mirrored crossing strategy to minimize genetic variability between lines across generations.
  • Phenotypic assessment of third-generation offspring, including sexual maturity, body weight, and behavioral responses to social isolation.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in female sexual maturity were observed in the third generation, with Epi+ females exhibiting delayed egg-laying.
  • Adult body weight was significantly affected by prior genistein exposure, with a notable interaction between line and sex at three weeks.
  • Behavioral traits, specifically responses to social isolation, were significantly altered by the embryonic genistein treatment in subsequent generations.

Conclusions:

  • Embryonic environmental modifications can lead to observable phenotypic effects in quail offspring three generations later.
  • While initial genetic variability cannot be entirely excluded, the study design suggests transgenerational epigenetic phenomena may contribute to the observed differences.
  • This avian model provides evidence for environmentally induced transgenerational effects on phenotype, independent of direct maternal influence.