Differential expression of sex regulatory genes in gonads of Astyanax mexicanus surface fish and cavefish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Astyanax mexicanus is a single species of fish that consists of river-dwelling (surface) and cave-dwelling morphotypes. Little is known about how sexual determination, differentiation or reproduction have evolved in the surface morphs or cavefish, though divergence in reproductive strategy is expected as the latter have adapted to the novel cave environment. Evolution of the gonad transcriptome may underlie the differences in gamete morphology, fertility, and fecundity previously reported between morphotypes.

Results

We compared the ovary and testis transcriptome of surface fish and cavefish at juvenile and adult stages. We found that samples clustered by developmental stage, sex, and morphotype identity. Several key genes that are typically associated with the fe

SUBMITTER: Webster KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12117805 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature