Unveiling the critical role of androgen receptor signaling in avian sexual development.

ABSTRACT: Gonadal hormone activities mediated by androgen and estrogen receptors, along with cell-autonomous mechanisms arising from the absence of sex-chromosome dosage compensation, are key factors in avian sexual development. In this study, we generate androgen receptor (AR) knockout chickens (AR^-/-) to explore the role of androgen signaling in avian sexual development. Despite developing sex-typical gonads and gonadal hormone production, AR^-/- males and females are infertile. While few somatic sex-specific traits persist (body size, spurs, and tail feathers), crucial sexual attributes such as comb, wattles and sexual behaviors remain underdeveloped in both sexes. Testosterone treatment of young AR^-/- males fails to induce crow behavior, comb development, or regre

SUBMITTER: Lengyel K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11487053 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature