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，但尚不清楚基因的变化如何转化为自然界中所见的不同形式。为了解决这个问题，拟议的研究集中在最近进化的独特特征，雄性日本鹌鹑产生的生殖泡沫。 这项研究将表征编码泡沫蛋白的基因的基因序列和表达模式。将获得日本鹌鹑和相关种属的多个组织的数据。这些发现将解决哪些类型的遗传变化是独特性状的原因，以及新结构背后的基因是如何进化的。日本鹌鹑是全球范围内饲养的一种经济上重要的家禽品种，用于肉类和蛋类。了解家禽的受精生物学对设计高效和有效的育种计划非常重要。当泡沫被添加到精液中时，它延长了精子的寿命，并模拟自然生育水平。 表征泡沫基因将增加我们对鹌鹑受精生物学的了解，为选择更具生育力的雄性提供目标，并为改善其他家禽物种的精子功能提供见解。此外，了解生殖蛋白的进化可能会告诉我们不孕的原因。

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.