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Reception of conspecific cues alter testicular gene expression and improve fertility: evidence in boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris macalata)

ABSTRACT: The evidence for the social modulation of reproduction in vertebrates is established but poorly defined for many taxa despite the link between social cues and endocrine function. It is unclear if physiological effects, such as increased sex hormone concentration or gamete maturation, impact reproductive outcomes, such as fertilization rates or viability of offspring. We investigated the effect of conspecific signals on the calling behaviour, reproductive output, and gonadal gene expression in boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata). Using breeding trials in a captive setting, we found that broadcasts of conspecific signals nearly doubled the duration of calling activity and increases the proportion of viable eggs by over 13%. We then used RNA-sequencing techniques to demonstrate exposure to broadcasts of chorus behaviour increased the expression of genes associated with steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and gonadal development in male chorus frogs within 6 hours. Several gene pathways were similarly affected in male chorus frogs receiving hormone injections to induce sperm development and release, implying there are parallels in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis stimulation produced by reception of conspecific cues and hormonal induction. We provide some of the first evidence of amphibian social signals causing rapid molecular linked to fertility regulation.

ORGANISM(S): Pseudacris maculata

PROVIDER: GSE315762 | GEO | 2026/03/14

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:In many animals living in groups the reproductivestatus of individuals is determined by their social status. In specieswith social hierarchies, the death of dominant individuals typicallyupheaves the social hierarchy and provides an opportunity for subordinateindividuals to improve their social status. Such a phenomenon occursin the monogyne form of the fire ant\emph{, Solenopsis invicta, }wherecolonies typically contain a single wingless reproductive queen, thousandsof workers and hundreds of winged non-reproductive virgin queens.Upon the death of the mother queen, many virgin queens shed theirwings and initiate reproductive development instead of departing ona mating flight. Workers progressively execute almost all of themover the following weeks. The workers base their collective decisionon pheromonal cues associated with the onset of reproductive developmentof the virgin queens which occurs after orphaning. To examine the factors that determine which virgin queens are executed and which survive, we set up artificial competitions between queens from different colonies. Using microarrays, we found that queens from winning colonies showed higher mitochondrial as well as organ development activities 24 hours after orphaning than did queens from colonies that lost the competitions. Furthermore, queens from colonies where queens shed their wings faster after orphaning were more likely to survive competitions. Finally, higher wing shedding speed is linked to higher mitochondrial activity. Eight competitions were initially conducted between queens form pairs of colonies. Six competitions clearly identified one winning colony and one losing colony. We thus have microarray data for six competitions (ie biological replicates), with one winning and one losing colony within each competition. Thus 12 colonies total. For each colony, RNA extracted from five queens was pooled, and hybridized against an unrelated common reference RNA that had been made from a pool of many S. invicta individuals of all castes and developmental stages. Lab work was conducted in blocks (by competition) with randomized order within competition to avoid introducing bias. No technical replication was performed.

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Reception of conspecific cues alter testicular gene expression and improve fertility: evidence in boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris macalata)

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