Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025

06:38
Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
15.8K
Mammalian puberty: a fly perspective.
Juan Guirado1, Juan Carranza-Valencia1, Javier Morante1
1Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
The FEBS Journal
|May 24, 2022
Summary
Mammalian puberty and insect metamorphosis share conserved molecular pathways. Drosophila fat uptake by endocrine cells triggers maturation, and human leptin can rescue developmental defects, offering insights into puberty and obesity.
Area of Science:
- Comparative endocrinology
- Developmental biology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Mammalian puberty and Drosophila metamorphosis, despite evolutionary divergence, share fundamental regulatory mechanisms.
- Understanding these conserved pathways offers insights into fundamental biological processes like maturation and energy homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Insect metamorphosis provides a valuable model for studying leptin biology and puberty.
- Fat detection by neuroendocrine cells is a conserved mechanism crucial for developmental transitions.
- The conserved nature of these pathways underscores the potential for cross-species insights into metabolic and developmental disorders.
Related Concept Videos
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
8.8K
In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
8.8K
Signs of Puberty
666
Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
666
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
6.7K
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...
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...
6.7K

