Abstract
Intersex, the appearance of female characteristics in male gonads, has been identified in several aquatic species. It is a widespread phenomenon in populations of the bivalve, Scrobicularia plana, from the southwest coast of the U.K. Genes previously identified as differentially expressed (ferritin, testicular haploid expressed gene, THEG, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA; receptor activated protein kinase C, RACK; cytochrome B, CYB; and cytochrome c oxidase 1, COX1) in intersex clams relative to normal male clams, were selected for characterisation and an environmental survey of the Channel region. Transcripts were significantly differentially expressed at sites with varying intersex incidence and contaminant burdens. Significant correlations between specific gene expressions, key contaminants and sampling locations have been identified, though no single gene was associated with intersex incidence. The results highlight the difficulty in understanding the intersex phenomenon in molluscs where there is still a lack of knowledge on the control of normal reproduction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 610-617 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Mar 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors.Keywords
- Intersex
- Clams
- English Channel
- Gene expression
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Corina Ciocan
- School of Applied Sciences - Principal Lecturer
- Centre for Precision Health and Translational Medicine
- Centre for Earth Observation Science
- Environment and Public Health Research and Enterprise Group
- Centre for Aquatic Environments
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group
Person: Academic