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 editors: Sepers, Bernice; Ruuskanen, Suvi; van Mastrigt, Tjomme; Mateman, A Christa; van Oers, Kees
Journal or series: Molecular Ecology
ISSN: 0962-1083
eISSN: 1365-294X
Publication year: 2025
Publication date: 06/01/2025
Volume: 34
Issue number: 4
Article number: e17647
Publisher: Wiley
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17647
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially 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.
Keywords: androgens; sex hormones; epigenetics; DNA methylation; behaviour; descendants
Free keywords: androgens; behaviour; development; epigenetics; maternal effects; sex-specific effects
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2025
Preliminary JUFO rating: 3