Epigenetic changes to gene pathways linked to male fertility in ex situ black-footed ferrets.

ABSTRACT: Environmental variation can influence the reproductive success of species managed under human care and in the wild, yet the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain largely mysterious. Molecular mechanisms such as epigenetic modifiers are important in mediating the timing and progression of reproduction in humans and model organisms, but few studies have linked epigenetic variation to reproductive fitness in wildlife. Here, we investigated epigenetic variation in black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), an endangered North American mammal reliant on ex situ management for survival and persistence in the wild. Despite similar levels of genetic diversity in human-managed and wild-born populations, individuals in ex situ facilities exhibit reproductive problems, such as poor sperm

SUBMITTER: Tennenbaum SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10818088 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature