Insights into left-right asymmetric development of chicken ovary at the single-cell level

Tao Wang; Dong Leng; Zhongkun Cai; Binlong Chen; Jing Li; Hua Kui; Diyan Li; Zhuanjian Li

doi:10.1016/j.jgg.2024.08.002

Volume 51 Issue 11

Nov. 2024

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Article Navigation > Journal of Genetics and Genomics > 2024 > 51(11): 1265-1277

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Insights into left-right asymmetric development of chicken ovary at the single-cell level

doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2024.08.002

a. School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610106, China;
b. College of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang, Sichuan 615000, China;
c. School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming, Yunnan 650214, China;
d. College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China;
e. College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450046, China

Funds:

This work is funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province (2022NSFSC1767) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32360828).

Received Date: 2024-04-18
Accepted Date: 2024-08-02
Rev Recd Date: 2024-07-29

Available Online: 2025-06-06

Publish Date: 2024-08-13

Abstract

Abstract

Avian ovaries develop asymmetrically apart from prey birds, with only the left ovary growing more towards functional organ. Here, we analyze over 135,000 cells from chick's left and right ovaries at six distinct embryonic developmental stages utilizing single-cell transcriptome sequencing. We delineate gene expression patterns across 15 cell types within these embryo ovaries, revealing side-specific development. The left ovaries exhibit cortex cells, zygotene germ cells, and transcriptional changes unique to the left side. Differential gene expression analysis further identifies specific markers and pathways active in these cell types, highlighting the asymmetry in ovarian development. A fine-scale analysis of the germ cell meiotic transcriptome reveals seven distinct clusters with gene expression patterns specific to various meiotic stages. The study also identifies signaling pathways and intercellular communications, particularly between pre-granulosa and germ cells. Spatial transcriptome analysis shows the asymmetry, demonstrating cortex cells exclusively in the left ovary, modulating neighboring cell types through putative secreted signaling molecules. Overall, this single-cell analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of the asymmetric development of avian ovaries, particularly the significant role of cortex cells in the left ovary.
- Chicken,
- Ovary,
- Asymmetric development,
- Left-right asymmetry,
- Single-cell transcriptome,
- Pre-granulosa,
- Cellular crosstalk

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References(67)

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