In this work, we present the first detailed study of the normal meiotic karyotype of the brown bear based on the analysis of synaptonemal complexes. Microphotographs of the key stages of meiotic prophase I were obtained. The level of meiotic recombination, features of XY sex bivalent assembly during meiotic prophase I were analyzed. A refined SC karyotype ideogram was constructed, consisting of 37 pachytene bivalents: 36 autosomal bivalents and and XY sex bivalent. We report a rare finding in mammalian germinal cells - a polyploid spermatocyte after genome duplication in the brown bear Ursus arctos. Meiotic tetravalents typical of autotetraploidy, the synaptic configurations consisting of homologous chromosomes and their corresponding duplicated copies, were visualized in this unique nucleus.

This work represents the first comprehensive study of triploid hybrids between the parthenogenetic rock lizard Darevskia dahli and its paternal species Darevskia portschinskii in newly discovered sympatric areas in Armenia. Cytogenetic, genetic, and morphometric analyses revealed that these hybrids are triploid, containing 57 chromosomes. They display intermediate scalation and differ from the parental species by their bright dorsal coloration and a distinct dark vertebral stripe formed by merged spots. The size of erythrocytes of triploids was significantly greater than that of the diploid parents. Triploids shared allelic variants of microsatellite loci inherited from both parental species. Of the nine captured hybrids, eight were sterile females with reduced ovaries, and one laid a single egg. These findings provide the first complex evidence of naturally occurring triploid hybrids between this pair of rock lizard species, which were previously hypothesized only from morphological traits and indicate their potential role in speciation through hybridization.

INTRODUCTION:Here we compare differences in the presence of telomeric signals (tDNA-FISH) among karyotypes of taxa having different whole-arm chromosomal rearrangements under the assumption of their participation in differentiation/integration processes during karyotype evolution. We analyzed the cytogenetic peculiarities of Robertsonian-like (centromeric) and tandem (telomere-involving) rearrangements using examples of the authors' recent research on comparative cytogenetics of mammals. New data on intra- and interspecific karyotype variation helped understand the nature of chromosomal rearrangements and their molecular features within and between species in two target mammalian taxa: representatives of two genera from two orders (insectivores and rodents). METHODS:To detect telomeric repeats in karyotypes of representatives of the Eurasian genus Sorex and Ethiopian endemic Stenocephalemys, G-banded metaphase chromosomes were hybridized in situ with a fluorescein-conjugated peptide nucleic acid probe and 5'-TAMRA-labeled (CCCTAA)4 oligonucleotides. RESULTS:We compared the location of a molecular chromosomal trait - telomeric sequences - among karyotypes of taxonomically distinct individuals having different types of whole-arm chromosomal rearrangements. Along with the regular terminal location of the telomeric signal on all chromosomes, displays of interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) were detectable. This pattern was typical for a studied shrew specimen whose karyotype corresponded to a natural interracial F1 hybrid. This finding doubles the number (known to date) of S. araneus race-specific metacentrics having an identified telomeric signal. In karyotypes of Stenocephalemys specimens, we revealed individual differences in autosomes corresponding to tandem fusion rearrangements, possibly species-specific, for the first time. No intrachromosomal telomeric signal expected in this case was detectable in autosomes, whereas we registered ITSs in pericentromeric regions on X chromosomes near a short, completely heterochromatic (additional) arm. CONCLUSION:The new data indicate a heterogeneous distribution of the telomeric signal (tDNA-FISH) on mitotic chromosomes that are involved in (typical for mammals) whole-arm chromosomal variation, thus representing two models of karyotype evolution: Robertsonian polymorphism and tandem fusions. In the analyzed examples of whole-arm chromosomal rearrangements, displays of the centromeric ITS signal more likely represent an integral feature of cytogenetic relatedness within a species (chromosomal races) or between species (in a genus or group of genera) than differentiation of taxa.

Large interstitial telomeric regions are considered remnants and markers of chromosomal rearrangements or a result of several suggested molecular mechanisms of telomere repeats accumulation. More rare are cases when large interstitial repeats are found not close to, but at a distance from the centromere. However, synapsis, recombination, and effects on chromatin near these regions during meiotic prophase I have not been sufficiently studied. Using the model of three snake species of the genus Vipera: V. berus, V. nikolskii, V. renardi, we studied interstitial telomere sites (ITSs) in the pachytene nuclei of primary spermatocytes. We discovered an unusual composite chromosome in the species under study with two ITSs located far from the centromere. In V. berus, two very large adjacent ITS blocks were found on bivalent 5. In the other two species, V. nikolskii and V. renardi, two ITSs are also present on bivalent 5, but they are significantly smaller and barely distinguishable by FISH on pachytene bivalents. The possibility of forming crossing-over sites is shown between the two ITSs. Apparently, the three studied viper species received this complex structure of chromosome 5 from their common ancestor. However, the transformation of these telomeric repeat regions during evolution in the species under study occurred differently. Possible mechanisms of modifications of the telomeric regions are discussed.

INTRODUCTION:Germline restricted chromosomes are considered a rather ancient element in the genomes of passerine birds. Obviously, detailed comparative studies on model groups including closely related species are required for a better understanding of GRC evolution. It is especially interesting if GRCs in such closely related species have acquired significant differences. METHODS:In this work we compared three taxonomically close species of the genus Phylloscopus: Ph. sindianus lorenzii, Ph. collybita menzbieri, and Ph. nitidus, which have differences in morphological manifestation of GRCs: macro- and micro-GRCs. We studied synaptonemal complexes using immunocytochemistry methods. RESULTS:We were able to trace the morphological transformations of macro-GRC at stages from leptotene to diplotene, and describe the complex structure of this chromosome in Ph. nitidus. CONCLUSION:We hope that the taxonomic group under study can become a convenient model for comparative studies of GRCs in closely related species in order to understand the evolution of these unusual chromosomes.

Cytogenetic mechanisms of unisexuality in diploid parthenogenetic species of the genus Darevskia have remained debatable until recently. The mechanism that allows the unisexual form to maintain heterozygosity in a number of generations is important for its long-term existence in nature. In this work, for the first time, for parthenogenetic species of the genus Darevskia, in addition to primary oocytes with the usual ploidy (18 + ZW bivalents in meiotic prophase I), oocytes that underwent premeiotic genome endoduplication and carried a doubled number of bivalents (36 + ZZ + WW) were found. Here, we present a detailed comparative analysis of the preparations of synaptonemal complexes in oocyte nuclei without and with genome endoduplication and the behavior of sex Z and W chromosomes. We show the details of the assembly of bivalents in pachytene nuclei, where either homeologs or doubled identical copies of chromosomes compete for synapsis and form multivalents. For the first time, the WW sex bivalent has been visualized in parthenogenetic reptiles. We show the reverse side of meiotic deviations in obligate parthenogenesis—cases of nonviable embryos with specific abnormalities.

Hybrid parthenogenetic animals are an exceptionally interesting model for studying the mechanisms and evolution of sexual and asexual reproduction. A diploid parthenogenetic lizard Darevskia unisexualis is a result of an ancestral cross between a maternal species Darevskia raddei nairensis and a paternal species Darevskia valentini and presents a unique opportunity for a cytogenetic and computational analysis of a hybrid karyotype. Our previous results demonstrated a significant divergence between the pericentromeric DNA sequences of the parental Darevskia species; however, an in-depth comparative study of their pericentromeres is still lacking. Here, using target sequencing of microdissected pericentromeric regions, we reveal and compare the repertoires of the pericentromeric tandem repeats of the parental Darevskia lizards. We found species-specific sequences of the major pericentromeric tandem repeat CLsat, which allowed computational prediction and experimental validation of fluorescent DNA probes discriminating parental chromosomes within the hybrid karyotype of D. unisexualis. Moreover, we have implemented a generalizable computational method, based on the optimization of the Levenshtein distance between tandem repeat monomers, for finding species-specific fluorescent probes for pericentromere staining. In total, we anticipate that our comparative analysis of Darevskia pericentromeric repeats, the species-specific fluorescent probes that we found and the pipeline that we developed will form a basis for the future detailed cytogenomic studies of a wide range of natural and laboratory hybrids.

Despite numerous works devoted to hybrid origin of parthenogenesis in reptiles, the causes of hybridization between different species, resulting in the origin of parthenogenetic forms, remain uncertain. Recent studies demonstrate that sexual species considered parental to parthenogenetic rock lizards (Darevskia spp.) avoid interspecific mating in the secondary overlap areas. A specific combination of environmental factors during last glaciation period was critical for ectotherms, which led to a change in their distribution and sex ratio. Biased population structure (e.g., male bias) and limited available distributional range favored the deviation of reproductive behavior when species switched to interspecific mates. To date, at least 7 diploid parthenogenetic species of rock lizards (Darevskia, Lacertidae) originated through interspecific hybridization in the past. The cytogenetic specifics of meiosis, in particular the weak checkpoints of prophase I, may have allowed the formation of hybrid karyotypes in rock lizards. Hybridization and polyploidization are 2 important evolutionary forces in the genus Darevskia. At present, throughout backcrossing between parthenogenetic and parental species, the triploid and tetraploid hybrid individuals appear annually, but no triploid species found among Darevskia spp. on current stage of evolution. The speciation by hybridization with the long-term stage of diploid parthenogenetic species, non-distorted meiosis, together with the high ecological plasticity of Caucasian rock lizards provide us with a new model for considering the pathways and persistence of the evolution of parthenogenesis in vertebrates.

Vipera berus is the species with the largest range of snakes on Earth and one of the largest among reptiles in general. It is also the only snake species found in the Arctic Circle. Vipera berus is the most involved species of the genus Vipera in the process of interspecific hybridization in nature. The taxonomy of the genus Vipera is based on molecular markers and morphology and requires clarification using SC-karyotyping. This work is a detailed comparative study of the somatic and meiotic karyotypes of V. berus, with special attention to DNA and protein markers associated with synaptonemal complexes. The karyotype of V. berus is a remarkable example of a bimodal karyotype containing both 16 large macrochromosomes and 20 microchromosomes. We traced the stages of the asynchronous assembly of both types of bivalents. The number of crossing-over sites per pachytene nucleus, the localization of the nucleolar organizer, and the unique heterochromatin block on the autosomal bivalent 6-an important marker-were determined. Our results show that the average number of crossing-over sites per pachytene nucleus is 49.5, and the number of MLH1 sites per bivalent 1 reached 11, which is comparable to several species of agamas.

The reconstruction of the evolutionary history of sex determination in squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) is complicated by missing data in many lineages, erroneous reports, and often questionable inferences on state homology. Therefore, despite the large effort, the reconstruction of the ancestral sex determination in squamate reptiles is still controversial. With the hope to shed light on this problem, we aspired to identify the sex chromosome gene content in Dibamus deharvengi, the representative of the family Dibamidae, the putative sister clade to all other squamates. Our analyses revealed XX/XY sex-determination system in D. deharvengi: the X chromosome contains genes with homologues scattered across chicken chromosomes 8, 12, 13, 18, 30, and 33, and the Y chromosome seems to largely degenerate. To the best of our knowledge, this combination has never been reported to form sex chromosomes in any amniote lineage. It suggests that the sex chromosomes can represent an apomorphy of a clade including D. deharvengi. Our findings cover an important gap in the knowledge of sex determination in reptiles and further support multiple independent origins of sex chromosomes in this group.

Introduction. Metabolic syndrome (MS) can cause impaired spermatogenesis and a decrease in sperm counts. However, the details of the effect of MS on developing spermatogenic cells remain unclear. Difficulties in solving this problem, the inconsistency of published clinical data, indicate the advisability of using experimental models to solve this urgent problem of andrology and reproductology. The study objective is to describe to investigate the specifics of the course of meiotic prophase I and the activity of the processes of phagocytosis and autophagy in Sertoli cells of rats with experimentally induced MS and in the course of therapeutic and prophylactic procedures during the development of experimental MS. Materials and methods. The animals were divided into three groups, each of which included four sexually mature male rats: 1st group – males fed a standard diet; 2nd group – males receiving a diet high in fat and fructose for 60 days; 3rd group – males with MS receiving sulphate mineral waters therapy, low-intensity ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic radiation therapy. Testicular cells were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. For the first time in animals with MS, an immunocytochemical study of the peculiarities of chromosome synapsis in prophase I of meiosis was carried out on the basis of analysis of spread synaptonemal complexes of meiotic chromosomes and immunocytochemical analysis of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in squashed preparations of seminiferous tubules. The parametric Student’s t-test and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test were used for statistical data processing. Results. As a result of a histological study of the structure of the seminiferous tubules of animals of three groups, a statistically significant decrease in the indices of the spermatogenesis index in 2nd and 3rd groups compared to the control was revealed. Immunomorphologically, in the spread nuclei of primary spermatocytes of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, violations of the architectonics of nuclei, the formation of synaptonemal complexes fragments and circular synaptonemal complexes, numerous atypical inclusions were found. Signs of pachytene arrest were found in 40–50 % of spermatocyte nuclei. In the study of squashed cells preparations of the seminiferous tubules of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, signs of phagocytosed synaptonemal complexes were found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, which were confirmed using antibodies to the SCP3 protein. Thus, evidence for the phagocytosis of degenerating primary spermatocytes by Sertoli cells has been obtained. In Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, many autophagosomes are found, using LC3B protein marker. The presence of autophagosomes in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in animals of these two groups was also confirmed by electron microscopy. In male rats of the 2nd group, significant disturbances in the structure of the pachytene nuclei were revealed. In the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and spermatids of rats of the 2nd group, lipid droplets, numerous phagolysosomes containing cell detritus were revealed. Structural damage and phagocytosis of mitochondria were found in Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. Аutophagy in Sertoli cells were most distinctive in animals of the 3rd group. Conclusion. In male rats with experimental MS, significant disturbances in the structure of the nuclei of meiotic cells, a high content of primary spermatocytes with signs of pachytene arrest were revealed. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data of other authors, who revealed a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in the epididymis of rats and mice when modeling MS. It is assumed that the activation of autophagy is an important factor in supporting the viability of Sertoli cells and supporting the viability of germ cells in stressful situations, including MS. Apparently, autophagy is an adaptive mechanism that removes the remnants of apoptotic spermatogenic cells that are selected as a result of MS development.

Although the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes that are enriched in tandemly repeated satellite DNA represent a significant part of eukaryotic genomes, they remain understudied, which is mainly due to interdisciplinary knowledge gaps. Recent studies suggest their important role in genome regulation, karyotype stability, and evolution. Thus, the idea of satellite DNA as a junk part of the genome has been refuted. The integration of data regarding molecular composition, chromosome behaviour, and the details of the in situ organization of pericentromeric regions is of great interest. The objective of this work was a cytogenetic analysis of the interactions between pericentromeric regions from non-homologous chromosomes in mouse spermatocytes using immuno-FISH. We analysed two events: the associations between centromeric regions of the X chromosome and autosomes and the associations between the centromeric regions of the autosomal bivalents that form chromocenters. We concluded that the X chromosome forms temporary synaptic associations with different autosomes in early meiotic prophase I, which can normally be found until the pachytene–diplotene, without signs of pachytene arrest. These associations are formed between the satellite-DNA-rich centromeric regions of the X chromosome and different autosomes but do not involve the satellite-DNA-poor centromeric region of the Y chromosome. We suggest the hypothetical model of X chromosome competitive replacement from such associations during synaptic correction. We showed that the centromeric region of the X chromosome in association remains free of γH2Ax-dependent chromatin inactivation, while the Y chromosome is completely inactivated. This finding highlights the predominant role of associations between satellite DNA-rich regions of different chromosomes, including the X chromosome. We suppose that X-autosomal transient associations are a manifestation of an additional synaptic disorder checkpoint. These associations are normally corrected before the late diplotene stage. We revealed that the intense spreading conditions that were applied to the spermatocyte I nuclei did not lead to the destruction of stretched chromatin fibers of elongated chromocenters enriched in satellite DNA. The tight associations that we revealed between the pericentromeric regions of different autosomal bivalents and the X chromosome may represent the basis for a mechanism for maintaining the repeats stability in the autosomes and in the X chromosome. The consequences of our findings are discussed.

Parthenogenetic species of Caucasian rock lizards of the genus Darevksia are important evidence for reticulate evolution and speciation by hybridization in vertebrates. Female-only lineages formed through interspecific hybridization have been discovered in many groups. Nevertheless, critical mechanisms of oogenesis and specifics of meiosis that provide long-term stability of parthenogenetic species are still unknown. Here we report cytogenetic characteristics of somatic karyotypes and meiotic prophase I nuclei in the diploid parthenogenetic species Darevskia unisexualis from the new population "Keti" in Armenia which contains an odd number of chromosomes 2n = 37, instead of the usual 2n = 38. We revealed 36 acrocentric chromosomes and a single metacentric autosomal chromosome, resulting from Robertsonian translocation. Comparative genomic hybridization revealed that chromosome fusion occurred between two chromosomes inherited from the maternal species, similar to another parthenogenetic species D. rostombekowi. To trace the chromosome behaviour in meiosis, we performed an immunocytochemical study of primary oocytes' spread nuclei and studied chromosome synapsis during meiotic prophase I in D. unisexualis based on analysis of synaptonemal complexes (SCs). We found meiotic SC-trivalent composed of one metacentric and two acrocentric chromosomes. We confirmed that the SC was assembled between homeologous chromosomes inherited from two parental species. Immunostaining of the pachytene and diplotene nuclei revealed a mismatch repair protein MLH1 loaded to all autosomal SC bivalents. Possible mechanisms of meiotic recombination between homeologous chromosomes are discussed.

Introduction. Metabolic syndrome (MS) can cause impaired spermatogenesis and a decrease in sperm counts. However, the details of the effect of MS on developing spermatogenic cells remain unclear. Difficulties in solving this problem, the inconsistency of published clinical data, indicate the advisability of using experimental models to solve this urgent problem of andrology and reproductology.The study objective is to describe to investigate the specifics of the course of meiotic prophase I and the activity of the processes of phagocytosis and autophagy in Sertoli cells of rats with experimentally induced MS and in the course of therapeutic and prophylactic procedures during the development of experimental MS.Materials and methods. The animals were divided into three groups, each of which included four sexually mature male rats: 1st group – males fed a standard diet; 2nd group – males receiving a diet high in fat and fructose for 60 days; 3rd group – males with MS receiving sulphate mineral waters therapy, low-intensity ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic radiation therapy. Testicular cells were examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. For the first time in animals with MS, an immunocytochemical study of the peculiarities of chromosome synapsis in prophase I of meiosis was carried out on the basis of analysis of spread synaptonemal complexes of meiotic chromosomes and immunocytochemical analysis of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in squashed preparations of seminiferous tubules. The parametric Student’s t-test and the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test were used for statistical data processing.Results. As a result of a histological study of the structure of the seminiferous tubules of animals of three groups, a statistically significant decrease in the indices of the spermatogenesis index in 2nd and 3rd groups compared to the control was revealed. Immunomorphologically, in the spread nuclei of primary spermatocytes of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, violations of the architectonics of nuclei, the formation of synaptonemal complexes fragments and circular synaptonemal complexes, numerous atypical inclusions were found. Signs of pachytene arrest were found in 40–50 % of spermatocyte nuclei. In the study of squashed cells preparations of the seminiferous tubules of rats of the 2nd and 3rd groups, signs of phagocytosed synaptonemal complexes were found in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, which were confirmed using antibodies to the SCP3 protein. Thus, evidence for the phagocytosis of degenerating primary spermatocytes by Sertoli cells has been obtained. In Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids, many autophagosomes are found, using LC3B protein marker. The presence of autophagosomes in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells in animals of these two groups was also confirmed by electron microscopy. In male rats of the 2nd group, significant disturbances in the structure of the pachytene nuclei were revealed. In the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells and spermatids of rats of the 2nd group, lipid droplets, numerous phagolysosomes containing cell detritus were revealed. Structural damage and phagocytosis of mitochondria were found in Sertoli cells and spermatocytes. Аutophagy in Sertoli cells were most distinctive in animals of the 3rd group.Conclusion. In male rats with experimental MS, significant disturbances in the structure of the nuclei of meiotic cells, a high content of primary spermatocytes with signs of pachytene arrest were revealed. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data of other authors, who revealed a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in the epididymis of rats and mice when modeling MS. It is assumed that the activation of autophagy is an important factor in supporting the viability of Sertoli cells and supporting the viability of germ cells in stressful situations, including MS. Apparently, autophagy is an adaptive mechanism that removes the remnants of apoptotic spermatogenic cells that are selected as a result of MS development.

Darevskia rock lizards is a unique complex taxa, including more than thirty species, seven of which are parthenogenetic. In mixed populations of Darevskia lizards, tri- and tetraploid forms can be found. The most important issues in the theory of reticulate evolution of Darevskia lizards are the origin of parthenogenetic species and their taxonomic position. However, there is little data on how meiosis proceeds in these species. The present work reports the complex results of cytogenetics in a diploid parthenogenetic species – D. unisexualis . Here we detail the meiotic prophase I progression and the specific features оf mitotic chromosomes organization. The stages of meiosis prophase I were investigated by immunocytochemical analysis of preparations obtained from isolated primary oocytes of D. unisexualis in comparison with maternal species D. raddei nairensis . It has been shown that in D. unisexualis at the leptotene-zygotene stages the axial elements and the synaptonemal complex (SC) form typical “bouquets”. At the pachytene-diplotene stage, 18 autosomal SC-bivalents and thickened asynapted sex Z and w univalents were observed. The presence of SYCP1 protein between the lateral elements of autosomal chromosomes proved the formation of assembled SCs. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on the mitotic metaphase chromosomes of D. unisexualis was carried out using the genomic DNA isolated from the parental species D. raddei nairensis and D. valentini . In the pericentromeric regions of half of the mitotic chromosomes of D. unisexualis , specific regions inherited from maternal species have been found. Following our results, we suggest a model for diploid germ cells formation from diploid oocytes without premeiotic duplication of chromosomes in the oogenesis of diploid parthenogenetic lizards D. unisexualis . Taken as a whole, our findings confirm the hybrid nature of D. unisexualis and shed light on heterozygosity and automixis in diploid parthenogenetic forms.

The species number has been strikingly increasing in recent current works on Ethiopian endemic rodents, which to a great extent is due to genomic studies including the karyotype discoveries. Here, the diploid number 2N = 52 is defined anew for the genus Stenocephalemys, endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands, where four karyotypes with 2N values of 54, 50 and 46 were so far described for four taxa. The new karyotype (S. “pseudogriseicauda”) combines into a nearly full series with other 2Ns (except the not yet found 2N = 48) within the genus and shows one interspecific chromosome rearrangement associated with the tandem fusion, in the direction 2N = 54 to 2N = 52. Together with the earlier detection of tandem fusions between karyotypes with 2N = 46 (S. albipes) and 2N = 54 (S. albocaudatus, S. griseicauda), this rodent taxonomic group presents an interesting case for the phenomenon of karyotypic orthoselection in an intrageneric phyletic line via the reoccurence of such characteristic chromosomal rearrangements as tandem fusions.

The two species of rock lizards, Darevsia raddei and Darevskia portschinskii, belong to two different phylogenetic clades of the same genus. They are supposed ancestors for the hybrid parthenogenetic, Darevskia rostombekowi. The present study aims to identify morphological features of these two species and the potential gene introgression between them in the area of sympatry. External morphological features provided the evidence of specific morphology in D. raddei and D. portschinskii: the species differed in scalation and ventral coloration pattern, however, they had some proportional similarities within both sexes of the two species. Males of both species had relatively larger heads and shorter bodies than females. Males of D. raddei were slightly larger than males of D. portschinskii and had longer hindlimbs. Microsatellite genotyping revealed no traces of hybridization or gene flow among these species. We suggest that the absence of individuals with combined morphological and genetic features of the studied species reflects existing reproductive barriers. The hybridization between two bisexual rock lizard species from distant clades is rare and only takes place under very specific environmental conditions. (C) 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Darevskia rostombekowi, the most outstanding of the seven known parthenogenetic species in the genus Darevskia, is the result of an ancestral cross between two bisexual species Darevskia raddei and Darevskia portschinskii. The chromosomal set of this species includes a unique submetacentric autosomal chromosome; the origin of this chromosome was unresolved as only acrocentric chromosomes are described in the karyotypes of Darevskia genus normally. Here, we applied a suite of molecular cytogenetic techniques, including the mapping of telomeric (TTAGGG) n repeats using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and whole-chromosome painting (WCP) in both D. rostombekowi and parental (D. portschinskii and D. raddei) species. The obtained results in total suggest that a de novo chromosomal rearrangement via Robertsonian translocation (centric fusion) between two maternal (D. raddei) acrocentric chromosomes of different size was involved in the formation of this unique submetacentric chromosome present in the parthenogenetic species D. rostombekowi. Our findings provide new data in specific and rapid evolutional processes of a unisexual reptile species karyotype.

The fundamental question about the functionality of in vitro derived human primordial germ cell-like cells remains unanswered, despite ongoing research in this area. Attempts have been made to imitate the differentiation of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) and meiocytes in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). A defined system for developing human haploid cells in vitro is the challenge that scientists face to advance the knowledge of human germ cell development. To develop human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that are capable of giving rise to haploid cells, we applied a sequential induction protocol via the early mesodermal push of female human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. BMP4-induced early mesoderm-like cells showed significant alterations in their expression profiles toward early (PRDM1 and NANOS3) and late (VASA and DAZL) germ cell markers. Furthermore, using retinoic acid (RA), we induced hPGCLCs in embryoid bodies and identified positive staining for the meiotic initiation marker STRA8. Efforts to find the cells exhibiting progression to meiosis were unsuccessful. The validation by the expression of SCP3 did not correspond to the natural pattern. Regarding the 20-day meiotic induction, the derived hPGCLCs containing two X-chromosomes were unable to complete the meiotic division. We observed the expression of the oocyte marker PIWIL1 and PIWIL4. RNAseq analysis and cluster dendrogram showed a similar clustering of hPGCLC groups and meiotic like cell groups as compared to previously published data. This reproducible in vitro model for deriving hPGCLCs provides opportunities for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the specification of hPGCs. Moreover, our results will support a further elucidation of gametogenesis and meiosis of female hPGCs.