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GSE25629
Rattus norvegicus
6 Downloadable Samples
Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
The current study was designed to investigate the actions of Anti-Mllerian Hormone (AMH) on primordial follicle assembly. Ovarian primordial follicles develop from the breakdown of oocyte nests during fetal development for the human and immediately after birth in rodents. AMH was found to inhibit primordial follicle assembly, decrease the initial primordial follicle pool size and promote the persistence of small oocyte nests in a rat ovarian organ culture. The AMH expression was found to be primarily in the stromal tissue of the ovaries at this period of development, suggesting a stromal-epithelial cell interaction for primordial follicle assembly. AMH was found to promote alterations in the ovarian transcriptome during primordial follicle assembly with over 200 genes with altered expression. A gene network was identified suggesting a potential central role for the Fgf2/Nudt6 antisense transcript in the follicle assembly process. A number of signal transduction pathways are regulated by AMH actions on the ovarian transcriptome, in particular the transforming growth factor beta (TGF) signaling process. AMH is the first hormone/protein shown to have an inhibitory action on primordial follicle assembly. Due to the critical role of the primordial follicle pool size for female reproduction, elucidation of the factors, such as AMH, that regulate the assembly process will provide insights into potential therapeutics to manipulate the pool size and female reproduction.
Publication Title
Inhibitory actions of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) on ovarian primordial follicle assembly.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 132 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
Sexual selection involves mate preference behavior and is a critical determinant for natural selection and evolutionary biology. Previously an environmental compound (fungicide vinclozolin) was found to promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of modified mate selection characteristics in all progeny for three generations after exposure of a gestating female. The current study investigated gene networks involved in various regions of the brain that correlated with the mate preference behavior altered in F3-Vinclozolin lineage animals. Statistically significant correlations of differentially expressed gene clusters and modules were identified to associate with specific mate preference behaviors. This novel systems biology approach identified critical gene networks involved in mate preference behavior and demonstrated the ability of environmental factors to promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of this altered evolutionary biology determinant. Combined observations elucidate the potential molecular control of mate preference behavior and suggests environmental epigenetics can have a role in evolutionary biology.
Publication Title
Gene bionetworks involved in the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of altered mate preference: environmental epigenetics and evolutionary biology.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 66 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult onset disease involves a variety of phenotypic changes suggesting a general alteration in genome activity. Investigation of eleven different tissue transcriptomes in male and female F3 generation vinclozolin versus control lineage rats demonstrated all tissues examined had unique transgenerational transcriptomes. Common cellular pathways and processes were identified among the tissues. A bionetwork analysis identified gene modules with coordinated gene expression and each had unique gene networks regulating tissue specific gene expression and function. A large number of statistically significant over-represented clusters of differentially expressed genes were identified and termed Epigenetic Control Regions. Combined observations demonstrate that all tissues derived from the epigenetically altered germ line develop transgenerational transcriptomes unique to the tissue, but common epigenetic control regions in the genome appear to in part coordinately regulate these tissue specific transcriptomes. This systems biology approach provides insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of a variety of adult onset disease phenotypes.
Publication Title
Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of somatic transcriptomes and epigenetic control regions.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 20 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array (rat2302)
Description
Embryonic exposure to the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination promotes an epigenetic reprogramming of the male germ-line that is associated with transgenerational adult onset disease states. Further analysis of this transgenerational phenotype on the brain demonstrated reproducible changes in the brain transcriptome three generations (F3) removed from the exposure. The transgenerational alterations in the male and female brain transcriptomes were distinct. In the males, the expression of 92 genes in the hippocampus and 276 genes in the amygdala were transgenerationally altered. In the females, the expression of 1,301 genes in the hippocampus and 172 genes in the amygdala were transgenerationally altered. Analysis of specific gene sets demonstrated that several brain signaling pathways were influenced including those involved in axon guidance and long-term potentiation. An investigation of behavior demonstrated that the vinclozolin F3 generation males had a decrease in anxiety-like behavior, while the females had an increase in anxiety-like behavior. These observations demonstrate that an embryonic exposure to an environmental compound appears to promote a reprogramming of brain development that correlates with transgenerational sex-specific alterations in the brain transcriptomes and behavior. Observations are discussed in regards to environmental and transgenerational influences on the etiology of brain disease.
Publication Title
Transgenerational epigenetic programming of the brain transcriptome and anxiety behavior.
Sample Metadata Fields
No sample metadata fields
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 20 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array (rat2302)
Description
The current study investigates the direct effects of in utero vinclozolin exposure on the developing rat testis transcriptome. Vinclozolin is a commonly used fungicide in agriculture and is an endocrine disruptor with anti-androgenic activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that exposure to vinclozolin during embryonic gonadal sex determination induces epigenetic modifications of the germ line and transgenerational adult onset disease states that include spermatogenic cell defects, prostate disease, kidney disease, and tumor development. An investigation of the molecular actions of vinclozolin was initiated through an analysis of direct actions on the F1 generation embryonic testis development. Microarray analyses were performed to compare control and vinclozolin treated testis transcriptomes at embryonic day 13, 14 and 16. A total of 576 differentially expressed genes were identified and the major cellular functions and pathways associated with these altered transcripts were examined. The sets of regulated genes at the different development periods were found to be transiently altered and distinct. Interestingly, genes previously shown to be regulated during normal male sex determination were not altered by vinclozolin treatment. Categorization by major known functions of all 576 genes altered by in utero vinclozolin exposure demonstrates transcription, signaling, cytoskeletal and extra cellular matrix associated transcripts are highly represented. Specific cellular process and pathway analyses suggest the involvement of Wnt and calcium signaling, vascular development and epigenetic mechanisms as potential mediators of the direct F1 generation actions of vinclozolin.
Publication Title
Alterations in the developing testis transcriptome following embryonic vinclozolin exposure.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples- Bos taurus
- 12 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Bovine Genome Array (bovine)
Description
Coordinated interactions between ovarian granulosa and theca cells are required for female endocrine function and fertility. To elucidate these interactions the regulation of the granulosa and theca cell transcriptomes during bovine antral follicle development were investigated. Granulosa cells and theca cells were isolated from small (<5 mm), medium (5-10 mm), and large (>10 mm) antral bovine follicles. A microarray analysis of 24,000 bovine genes revealed that granulosa cells and theca cells each had gene sets specific to small, medium and large follicle cells. Transcripts regulated (i.e., minimally changed 1.5-fold) during antral follicle development for the granulosa cells involved 446 genes and for theca cells 248 genes. Only 28 regulated genes were common to both granulosa and theca cells. Regulated genes were functionally categorized with a focus on growth factors and cytokines expressed and regulated by the two cell types. Candidate regulatory growth factor proteins mediating both paracrine and autocrine cell-cell interactions include macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP1 beta), teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1), stromal derived growth factor 1 (SDF1; i.e., CXCL12), growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), glia maturation factor gamma (GMFG), osteopontin (SPP1), angiopoietin 4 (ANGPT4), and chemokine ligands (CCL 2, 3, 5, and 8). The current study examined granulosa cell and theca cell regulated genes associated with bovine antral follicle development and identified candidate growth factors potentially involved in the regulation of cell-cell interactions required for ovarian function.
Publication Title
Regulation of granulosa and theca cell transcriptomes during ovarian antral follicle development.
Sample Metadata Fields
No sample metadata fields
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 6 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Publication Title
Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of altered Sertoli cell transcriptome and epigenome: molecular etiology of male infertility.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 6 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
Environmental toxicants have been shown to induce the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult onset disease, including testis disease and male infertility. The exposure of a gestating female during the period of gonadal sex determination has been shown to promote sperm epimutations, differential DNA methylation regions (DMR), that transmit transgenerational disease to subsequent generations. The current study was designed to determine the impact of an altered sperm epigenome on the subsequent development of an adult somatic cell (Sertoli cell) that influences the onset of a specific disease (male infertility). A gestating female rat (F0 generation) was exposed to the agriculture fungicide vinclozolin during gonadal sex determination and then the subsequent F3 generation progeny used for the isolation of Sertoli cells and assessment of testis disease. As previously observed, a spermatogenic cell apoptosis was observed. The Sertoli cells that provide the physical and nutritional support for the spermatogenic cells were isolated and alterations in gene expression examined. Over 400 genes were differentially expressed in the F3 generation control versus vinclozolin lineage Sertoli cells. A number of specific signaling pathways and cellular processes were identified to be transgenerationally altered. One of the key metabolic processes affected was pyruvate/lactate production that is directly linked to spermatogenic cell viability. The Sertoli cell epigenome was also altered with over 100 promoter differential DNA methylation regions (DMR) modified in the vinclozolin F3 generation Sertoli cell. The genomic features and overlap with the sperm DMR were investigated. Observations demonstrate that the transgenerational sperm epigenetic alterations subsequently alters the development of a specific somatic cell (Sertoli cell) epigenome and transcriptome that then has a role in the adult onset disease (male infertility). The environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of testis disease appears to be a component of the molecular etiology of male infertility.
Publication Title
Environmentally induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of altered Sertoli cell transcriptome and epigenome: molecular etiology of male infertility.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 48 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
Ancestral environmental exposures that promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance influence all aspects of an individuals life history. Stress experienced during adolescence can affect adult physiological and behavioural phenotypes. The current study utilized a systems biology approach to investigate the interactions of these two forms of epigenetic modification, one carried in the germline transgenerationally and the other contained in the context of life history. A transgenerational epigenetic imprint left by the fungicide vinclozolin promoted regional specific brain gene networks that influenced chronic restraint stress responses to alter adult physiological, brain and behavioural phenotypes. The environmentally-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance was found to interact with early life stress response to impact the adult brain genome activity to bring the phenotype into being.
Publication Title
Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of altered stress responses.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples- Rattus norvegicus
- 44 Downloadable Samples
- Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array (ragene10st)
Description
Ovarian primordial follicles are critical for female reproduction and comprise a finite pool of gametes arrested in development. A systems biology approach was used to identify regulatory gene networks essential for primordial follicle development. Transcriptional responses to eight different growth factors known to influence primordial follicles were used to construct a bionetwork of regulatory genes involved in primordial follicle development. Over 1500 genes were found to be regulated by the various growth factors and a network analysis identified critical gene modules involved in a number of signaling pathways and cellular processes. A set of 55 genes was identified as potential critical regulators of these gene modules, and a subnetwork associated with development was determined. Within the network two previously identified regulatory genes were confirmed (i.e. Pdgfa and Fgfr2) and a new factor was identified, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). CTGF was tested in ovarian organ cultures and found to stimulate primordial follicle development. Therefore, the relevant gene network associated with primordial follicle development was validated and the critical genes and pathways involved in this process were identified. This is one of the first applications of network analysis to a normal developmental process. These observations provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing ovarian disease and promoting female reproduction.
Publication Title
Gene bionetwork analysis of ovarian primordial follicle development.
Sample Metadata Fields
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples