Testis-specific novel transcripts in chicken: in situ localization and expression pattern profiling during sexual development.

Tissue-specific novel transcripts expressed during sexual development were examined by RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and in situ hybridization to provide data for chicken genomics. Public databases for transcript data have been constructed with known and unknown sequences of various tissues from different animals. However, the expression patterns and functions of the transcripts are less known. From the The Institute for Genomics Research Gallus gallus library, we examined 291 tentative consensus (TC) sequences that assembled 100% with transcripts by RT-PCR during male and female sexual development from Embryonic Day 6 to 25 wk of age. We found 85 TC sequences that were specific to testicular development; of these, 43 TC sequences were exclusively upregulated in 25-wk-old testis. Another 52 TC sequences were not specific to one tissue, but occurred in the testis and ovary at different developmental ages. Twelve testis-specific TC sequences upregulated in 25-wk-old testis were randomly selected and further examined with qRT-PCR. For precise localization, these 12 testis-specific TC sequences were examined by in situ hybridization with 25-wk-old adult testis. Six TC sequences were strongly expressed in secondary spermatocytes and haploid spermatids until spermatozoa release. Another six TC sequences were differentially expressed in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. Among the testis-specific TC sequences, TC120901 is a known gene, phospholipase C, zeta (PLCZ1). Our data provide potential insight into gene expression and genomic information on novel transcripts that are important to avian reproduction.