A precise promoter cis-regulatory element [61]. Moreover, sox6 gene was reported to be particularly expressed inside the testis and involved within the later stages of spermatogenesis in teleost fishes [65]. In this study, both RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that sox9 and sox6 mRNA levels were considerably larger within the male gonads. Such AChE Antagonist Formulation expression patterns were similar to those observed in O. latipes [66], S. Sillago [18], and S. argus [34], suggesting a hugely conserved function of sox9 gene in teleosts. As to the identification of genes that take part in the differentiation of gonads, it truly is essential to explore their roles in each undifferentiated and differentiated gonad samples. Importantly, detailed data in regards to the gonad differentiation-related genes need to be collected and explored in more developmental stages, resembling what has been performed in other fish species [34]. Therefore, the expression profiles in the sex-biased genes identified within this study must be carefully analyzed in the future. Within this study, the sex-specific expression of dmrt1 implicates it as the most promising candidate sexdetermining gene in D. hystrix. In order to additional confirm the precise role of dmrt1, molecular genetic studies are firstly required to characterize the transcriptional regulation of putative downstream genes (e.g., gsdf, and sf-1). Meanwhile, the DMRT gene cluster will be cloned, then gene structures is going to be comparatively analyzed, to identify any attainable sex-linked polymorphic locus. Together with the foundation of above basic analysis, specific gene knockout and rescue experiments will be expected to the functional confirmation of dmrt1 gene in sex determination. 4.3. Sex-Biased Genes Involved in Gametogenesis and Gamete Maturation In fish aquaculture, the eventual aim of artificially induced breeding should be to facilitate the development of gonads and then get mature gametes [26]. In this study, the expression of a lot of genes connected with oogenesis, oocytes maturation, spermatogenesis and sperm motility was presented, for example vasa, zygote arrest 1 (zar1), zona pellucida sperm-binding proteins (zps), spermatogenesis-associated proteins (spatas), and spermine oxidase (smox). Vasa, especially localized in germline cells, has been properly characterized as a crucial player in germ cell formation in larval fish [35]. A earlier study has pointed out that vasa gene is expressed in primordial germ cells throughout the 1st formation of your gonadal anlagen [67]. In Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), vasa exhibited a higher degree of expression in spermatogonia, too as oogonia and previtellogenic oocytes [68]. The D. hystrix transcriptomic data showed that vasa mRNA was present both inside the male and female gonads, using a drastically greater mRNA level in the ovaries. Such result is consistent with those reported in southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) [69] and yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) [70], implying that vasa play a particular role in female gonad 5-HT2 Receptor Modulator Gene ID improvement. However, the expression pattern of vasa shows substantial variations amongAnimals 2021, 11,16 ofdifferent species [35]. The functional facts of vasa in gonadal differentiation in D. hystrix must be clarified in future studies. In vertebrates, zar1 acts as an oocyte-specific maternal effect gene with an evolutionarily conserved function within the fertilization procedure [34,35]. The zona pellucida (ZP) encoded by zp genes is often a glycoproteinaceous matrix surrounding the oocyte.