Genetic and metabolic insights into sexual dimorphism in the flexor carpi radialis of Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans) associated with amplexus behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual dimorphism, a widespread phenomenon across the animal kingdom, encompasses differences between sexes in size, morphology, and physiological traits. In this study, we investigated sexual dimorphism in the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle, which is critical for amplexus in Asiatic toads (Bufo gargarizans), using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches.

Results

Male toads exhibited significantly larger FCR muscles, reflecting enhanced muscle function required for sustained amplexus. Transcriptomic analysis identified 818 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sexes, with 389 upregulated and 429 downregulated in males, predominantly associated with muscle contraction, sarcomere organization, and energy metabolism. Metabolomic profiling rev

SUBMITTER: Ma H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11853992 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature