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Sex differences in auditory function of the desert locust
Tom T Austin1, Christian L Thomas1, Ben Warren2
1Neurogenetics Group, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom.
Hearing Research
|March 8, 2025
Summary
Sex differences in age-related hearing loss were observed in desert locusts. These differences appear linked to stress responses and metabolic processes, particularly in females.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory system research
- Comparative biology
Background:
- Age-related hearing loss is a widespread phenomenon across species.
- Sex differences in auditory decline are documented in humans and some animal models.
- The biological basis of sex differences in auditory decline remains largely unexplored in insects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in age-related auditory decline in the Desert Locust.
- To identify the genetic and physiological underpinnings of these sex differences.
- To compare gene expression in the auditory organ (Müller's organ) between sexes at different ages and noise exposure levels.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression profiling of Müller's organ in young and aged, noise-exposed locusts.
- Measurement of sound-evoked transduction currents and auditory neuron electrophysiology.
- Analysis of differential gene expression between sexes and across age/noise conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant age- and noise-induced gene expression changes were observed in both sexes.
- Few genes (39 in young, 9 in aged) showed sex-biased expression.
- Sex differences in gene expression were more pronounced in aged, noise-exposed locusts, with females exhibiting greater upregulation.
- Young locusts showed sex differences in genes related to juvenile hormone, egg production, and steroid hormone catalysis.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in auditory decline in Desert Locusts emerge with age and noise exposure.
- These differences are associated with distinct stress responses and metabolic profiles between sexes.
- Immune and metabolic processes are hypothesized to underlie sex differences in auditory decline.
Keywords:
Age-related hearing lossAuditory declineDesert locustHearing lossMüller's organSex differencesTransduction currentMore Related Videos
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