A1 Journal article (refereed)
DNA Methylation Associates With Sex‐Specific Effects of Experimentally Increased Yolk Testosterone in Wild Nestlings (2025)


Sepers, B., Ruuskanen, S., van Mastrigt, T., Mateman, A. C., & van Oers, K. (2025). DNA Methylation Associates With Sex‐Specific Effects of Experimentally Increased Yolk Testosterone in Wild Nestlings. Molecular Ecology, 34(4), Article e17647. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17647


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsSepers, Bernice; Ruuskanen, Suvi; van Mastrigt, Tjomme; Mateman, A Christa; van Oers, Kees

Journal or seriesMolecular Ecology

ISSN0962-1083

eISSN1365-294X

Publication year2025

Publication date06/01/2025

Volume34

Issue number4

Article numbere17647

PublisherWiley

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17647

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99278

Web address of parallel published publication (pre-print) https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.12.607609


Abstract

Maternal hormones can profoundly impact offspring physiology and behaviour in sex-dependent ways. Yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms linking these maternal effects to offspring phenotypes. DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism, is suggested to facilitate maternal androgens' effects. To assess whether phenotypic changes induced by maternal androgens associate with DNA methylation changes, we experimentally manipulated yolk testosterone levels in wild great tit eggs (Parus major) and quantified phenotypic and DNA methylation changes in the hatched offspring. While we found no effect on the handing stress response, increased yolk testosterone levels decreased the begging probability, emphasised sex differences in fledging mass, and affected methylation at 763 CpG sites, but always in a sex-specific way. These sites are associated with genes involved in growth, oxidative stress, and reproduction, suggesting sex-specific trade-offs to balance the costs and benefits of exposure to high yolk testosterone levels. Future studies should assess if these effects extend beyond the nestling stage and impact fitness.


Keywordsandrogenssex hormonesepigeneticsDNA methylationbehaviourdescendants

Free keywordsandrogens; behaviour; development; epigenetics; maternal effects; sex-specific effects


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2025

Preliminary JUFO rating3


Last updated on 2025-10-02 at 13:33