Transgenerational epigenetic modifications in response to heat stress in male germ cells of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

• Grant number: 21/13631-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Diogo Teruo Hashimoto
• Grantee: Arno Juliano Butzge
• Host Institution: Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In fish, exposure to high temperatures can affect the proliferation, differentiation or even the survival of germ cells, compromising fertility and, therefore, the reproductive capacity of the species. In a recent study on rainbow trout, it was shown that heat stress during the early stages can induce permanent effects on essential reproductive aspects during the adult stage of males, in addition to modulating the adaptive capacity of the respective progeny. This evidence that the characteristics of the offspring can be shaped by the life experiences of the parents, adds a new scope to the impacts of climate change on fish and, at the same time, indicates the existence of mechanisms transmitted via sperm that allows populations to overcome the changes in the environment. In this context, this work aims to elucidate which transgenerational epigenetic molecular mechanisms are involved in heat stress tolerance of male germ cells in fish. Then it will be performed the sequencing of miRNAs (small RNAseq) present in the semen of thermotolerant animals, as well as the sequencing of the total RNA of the hypothalamus of their progeny (F1). The results of this project will have implications for cultivated species, mainly in open systems, and may contribute to the more effective development of high temperature resistant strains. In the case of natural populations, this study will allow to assess the impacts of global warming/climate change in the long term and evaluate their capacity to adapt to thermal stress. (AU)