DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genetic Basis of a Unique Avian Reproductive Proteome

虽然已知DNA突变是自然种群遗传变异的来源，但尚不清楚基因变化如何转化为自然界中所见的各种形式。为了解决这一问题，拟议中的研究重点放在最近进化出的一种独特特征--一种由雄性日本鹌鹑产生的生殖泡沫上。这项研究将描述编码泡沫蛋白的基因序列和表达模式。将获得日本鹌鹑及其相关物种的多个组织的数据。这些发现将解决哪些类型的基因变化导致了独特的特征，以及新结构背后的基因是如何进化的。日本鹌鹑是一种经济上重要的家禽物种，在全球范围内饲养以获取肉类和鸡蛋。了解家禽受精生物学对于设计高效、有效的育种方案具有重要意义。当将泡沫添加到精液中时，它可以延长精子的寿命，并模拟自然生育水平。确定泡沫基因的特征将增加我们对鹌鹑受精生物学的了解，为选择更具生育能力的雄性提供目标，并为改善其他禽类物种的精子功能提供洞察力。此外，了解生殖蛋白质的进化可能会让我们了解不孕不育的原因。

While it is known that mutations in DNA are the source of genetic variation in natural populations, it is unclear how changes in genes translate into the diverse forms seen in nature. To address this, the proposed research focuses on a recently evolved unique trait, a reproductive foam produced by male Japanese quail. This study will characterize gene sequences and expression patterns for genes that encode foam proteins. Data will be obtained for multiple tissues from the Japanese quail and related species. The findings will address what types of genetic changes are responsible for unique traits and how genes underlying novel structures evolve.The Japanese quail is an economically important domesticated poultry species raised globally for meat and eggs. It is important to understand the fertilization biology of poultry to design efficient and effective breeding programs. When foam is added to semen, it extends the life of sperm and simulates natural fertility levels. Characterizing foam genes will increase our knowledge of the fertilization biology of quail, provide targets for selection of more fertile males, and provide insight into improving sperm function across other poultry species. Additionally, understanding the evolution of reproductive proteins may inform us about the causes of infertility.