A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
DNA Methylation Associates With Sex‐Specific Effects of Experimentally Increased Yolk Testosterone in Wild Nestlings
Authors: Sepers, Bernice; Ruuskanen, Suvi; van Mastrigt, Tjomme; Mateman, A. Christa; van Oers, Kees
Publisher: Wiley
Publishing place: HOBOKEN
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Molecular Ecology
Journal name in source: Molecular Ecology
Journal acronym: MOL ECOL
Article number: e17647
Volume: 34
Issue: 4
Number of pages: 14
ISSN: 0962-1083
eISSN: 1365-294X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17647
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17647
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/484801097
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.
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Funding information in the publication:
This research was mainly supported by an NWO-ALW open competition grant (ALWOP.314) to K.O. B.S. was supported by a Humboldt Research Fellowship for postdoctoral researchers from the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung during part of the work.
