Data and script files: Gene expression in response to estrone sulfate in Trachemys scripta

Variation in developmental conditions can affect a variety of embryonic
processes and shape a number of phenotypic characteristics that can affect
offspring throughout their lives. This is particularly true of oviparous
species where development typically occurs outside of the female, and
studies have shown that traits such as survival and behavior can be
altered by both temperature and exposure to steroid hormones during
development. In species with temperature-dependent sex determination
(TSD), the fate of gonadal development can be affected by temperature and
by maternal estrogens present in the egg at oviposition and there is
evidence that these factors can affect gene expression patterns. Here, we
explore how thermal fluctuations and exposure to an estrogen metabolite,
estrone sulfate, affect the expression of several genes known to be
involved in sexual differentiation; Kdm6b, Dmrt1, Sox9, FoxL2, and
Cyp19A1. We found that most of the genes responded to both temperature and
estrone sulfate exposure, but that the responses to these factors was not
identical in that estrone sulfate effects occur downstream of temperature
effects. Our findings demonstrate that conjugated hormones such as estrone
sulfate are capable of influencing temperature dependent pathways to
potentially alter how embryos respond to temperature and highlight the
importance of studying the interaction of maternal hormone and temperature
effects.