Sex differences in immune gene expression in the brain of a small shorebird

• DOI: 10.1007/s00251-022-01253-w
• Publication Date: 2022-01-27T07:02:31Z
• Authors: José O. Valdebenito; Kathryn H. Maher; Gergely Zachár; Qin Huang; Zhengwang Zhang; Larry J. Young; Tamás Székely; Pinjia Que; Yang Liu; Araxi O. Urrutia
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; Sex Characteristics; 0303 health sciences; Brain; Gene Expression; Biological Evolution; Charadriiformes; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Original Article; Female; 14. Life underwater; 10. No inequality

Abstract Males and females often exhibit differences in behaviour, life histories, ecology, many of which are typically reflected their brains. Neuronal protection maintenance include complex processes led by the microglia, also interacts with metabolites such as hormones or immune components. Despite increasing interest sex-specific brain function laboratory animals, significance activation wild animals along variables that could affect it is widely lacking. Here, we use Kentish plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus ) to study sex expression genes adult males females, two populations breeding contrasting habitats: a coastal sea-level population high-altitude inland China. Our analysis yielded 379 associated function. We show significant male-biased gene upregulation. Immune did not differ upregulation between populations. discuss role dosage compensation our findings evolutionary mediated survival neuronal deterioration. Similar profiles suggest comparable genetic control microglia possible similarities pathogen pressures habitats. call for further studies on understand implications life-histories demography natural systems.