Meleagris gallopavo breed:Converter Raw sequence reads

Avian species can store sperm in specialized structures called sperm storage tubules (SSTs) of the oviduct for extended periods of time, though the mechanisms that allow for sperm survival are currently unknown. In addition, little is known about how poultry industry practices, such as artificial insemination, impact the biological functions of these specialized structures. SST function directly relates to hen fertility rates, which is important for poultry industry efficiency. To further understand how artificial insemination and the presence of sperm impact SST function, we isolated SSTs from turkey hens at one, thirty, and ninety days following three treatments: (1) Control: hens were not artificially inseminated, (2) Sham: hens were artificially inseminated with a sham treatment containing sperm extender but no sperm, or (3) Semen: hens were artificially inseminated with sperm extender containing sperm. Isolated SSTs were subjected to RNA sequencing to gain a global view of gene expression changes due to artificial insemination and the presence of sperm. In the semen-inseminated SSTs, increased expression of reproductive pathways, cellular structure and metabolism, and pH regulation of the oviduct were observed. In the sham-inseminated SSTs, increased expression of immune pathways and non-reproductive endocrine hormones were observed. Results from this study are important for understanding how SSTs function to preserve sperm, and how these functions are impacted by industry practices.

鸟类物种能够将精子储存在称为输卵管精子储存管（SSTs）的特定结构中，以延长其储存时间，尽管目前尚不清楚允许精子存活的机制。此外，关于家禽业实践，如人工授精，如何影响这些特殊结构的生物学功能，了解甚少。SST的功能与母鸡的生育率直接相关，这对于家禽业的效率至关重要。为了进一步理解人工授精和精子的存在如何影响SST的功能，我们分别在三项处理（1）对照：母鸡未进行人工授精，（2）假处理：母鸡接受了含有精子保存剂但无精子的假人工授精，或（3）精子：母鸡接受了含有精子的精子保存剂进行人工授精）后的一日、三十日和九十日，从肉鸡母鸡中分离SSTs。分离的SSTs经过RNA测序，以获得人工授精和精子存在引起的基因表达变化的全面视角。在精子授精的SSTs中，观察到生殖途径、细胞结构和代谢以及输卵管pH调节的基因表达增加。在假授精的SSTs中，观察到免疫途径和非生殖内分泌激素的基因表达增加。本研究的结果对于理解SSTs如何保存精子及其功能如何受行业实践影响具有重要意义。