Unveiling the critical role of androgen receptor signaling in avian sexual development

Kamila Lengyel, Mekhla Rudra, Tom V. L. Berghof, Albertine Leitão, Carolina Frankl-Vilches, Falk Dittrich, Denise Duda, Romina Klinger, Sabrina Schleibinger, Hicham Sid, Lisa Trost, Hanna Vikkula, Benjamin Schusser and Manfred Gahr ()
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Kamila Lengyel: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Mekhla Rudra: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Tom V. L. Berghof: Technical University of Munich
Albertine Leitão: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Carolina Frankl-Vilches: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Falk Dittrich: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Denise Duda: Technical University of Munich
Romina Klinger: Technical University of Munich
Sabrina Schleibinger: Technical University of Munich
Hicham Sid: Technical University of Munich
Lisa Trost: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Hanna Vikkula: Technical University of Munich
Benjamin Schusser: Technical University of Munich
Manfred Gahr: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Gonadal hormone activities mediated by androgen and estrogen receptors, along with cell-autonomous mechanisms arising from the absence of sex-chromosome dosage compensation, are key factors in avian sexual development. In this study, we generate androgen receptor (AR) knockout chickens (AR−/−) to explore the role of androgen signaling in avian sexual development. Despite developing sex-typical gonads and gonadal hormone production, AR−/− males and females are infertile. While few somatic sex-specific traits persist (body size, spurs, and tail feathers), crucial sexual attributes such as comb, wattles and sexual behaviors remain underdeveloped in both sexes. Testosterone treatment of young AR−/− males fails to induce crow behavior, comb development, or regression of the bursa of Fabricius, which are testosterone-dependent phenotypes. These findings highlight the significance of androgen receptor mechanisms in fertility and sex-specific traits in chickens, challenging the concept of a default sex in birds and emphasizing the dominance of androgen signaling in avian sexual development.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52989-w

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