Gene expression profiles of the liver and skeletal muscle in germ-cell-removed animals

The function of germ cells in somatic growth and aging is demonstrated in invertebrate models but remains unclear in vertebrates. Here, we demonstrate sex-dependent somatic regulation by germ cells in the short-lived vertebrate model Nothobranchius furzeri. In females, germ-cell-removal shortened lifespan, decreased estrogen, and increased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling. In contrast, germ-cell-removal in males improved their health state with increased vitamin D signaling. Body size increased in both sexes, but it was caused by different signaling pathways, i.e., IGF-1 and vitamin D in females and males, respectively. Thus, vertebrate germ cells regulate somatic growth and aging through different endocrine system pathways, depending on the sex, which may underlie the sexual difference in the reproductive strategies. Overall design: The liver and skeletal muscle from N. furzeri injected with control morpholino antisense oligo (MO) or MO targeting dnd were sampled at young (1.5 months) and old (three months) age for males and females. Total RNAs were extracted and analyzed by BRB-seq.